Online social networking service with human matchmaking

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for an online social networking service with human matchmaking are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/002,540, filed May 23, 2014, prior filed U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/064,657, filed Oct. 16, 2014, andprior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/084,232, filedNov. 25, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to online social networking services.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Conventional online dating services have several disadvantagesincluding, but not limited to, ghost user accounts, user deception,over-reliance on superficial user information, and user loneliness.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This document describes systems, methods, and computer-readable mediafor an online social networking service with human matchmaking.

For example, a method may include creating, with an online networkingservice, a member user account for a member user; creating, with theonline networking service, a matchmaker user account for a matchmakeruser; assigning, with the online networking service, the matchmaker useraccount to the member user account; identifying, with the matchmakeruser, a matchmaker contact for the member user; granting the matchmakercontact access, with the online networking service, to the member useraccount; after the granting, creating, with the online networkingservice, a candidate user account for the matchmaker contact; andconnecting, with the online networking service, the candidate useraccount to the member user account.

As another example, an online dating service system in communicationwith a member user electronic device and a matchmaker user electronicdevice may be provided. The online dating service system may include atleast one processor component, at least one memory component, and atleast one communications component, wherein the online dating servicesystem is operative to receive member user information from the memberuser electronic device via the at least one communications component,create a member user account for the member user with the receivedmember user information, receive matchmaker user information from thematchmaker user electronic device via the at least one communicationscomponent, create a matchmaker user account for the matchmaker user withthe received matchmaker user information, analyze the member useraccount and the matchmaker user account, assign the matchmaker useraccount to the member user account based on the analysis, and, based onthe assignment, transmit to the matchmaker user electronic device, viathe at least one communications component, an instruction for thematchmaker user to identify a matchmaker contact for the member user.

As yet another example, a non-transitory computer-readable medium mayinclude computer-readable instructions recorded thereon for creating,with an online networking service, a member user account for a memberuser; creating, with the online networking service, a matchmaker useraccount for a matchmaker user; assigning, with the online networkingservice, the matchmaker user account to the member user account;instructing the matchmaker user to identify a matchmaker contact for themember user; granting the matchmaker contact access, with the onlinenetworking service, to the member user account; after the granting,creating, with the online networking service, a candidate user accountfor the matchmaker contact; and connecting, with the online networkingservice, the candidate user account to the member user account.

This Summary is provided merely to summarize some example embodiments,so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subjectmatter described in this document. Accordingly, it will be appreciatedthat the features described in this Summary are merely examples andshould not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subjectmatter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, andadvantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparentfrom the following Detailed Description, Figures, and Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The discussion below makes reference to the following drawings, in whichlike reference characters may refer to like parts throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative system for a networkingservice of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic view of a client device of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-35 are illustrative screenshots of user interfaces of a clientdevice of FIGS. 1 and 2 for the services of the disclosure; and

FIGS. 36-39B are flowcharts of illustrative processes for features ofthe service of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Classic online dating services have become inefficient and lesssuccessful over recent years due to various factors including, but notlimited to, (i) squatting or ghost profiles, where the service mayrepresent the profiles of inactive users as active or available (e.g.,via at least two possible mechanisms; the first example being a previousinactive subscriber whose profile is still on display, and in which anynew member showing interest in said profile may trigger a sign ofactivity per the site, either due to said interest or due to some formof contact generated by the site due to the interest sent to theprevious subscriber, and the second example being a current but inactivesubscriber who happens to no longer be interested in meeting someonedespite their status on the site, due to, but not limited to, suchpossibilities as currently dating in a serious exclusive relationship),which may be frustrating and deceptive to active users attempting toconnect with these inactive users, (ii) deception, where certain usersmay misrepresent themselves by providing one or more pieces of falseinformation (e.g., fake or outdated picture, incorrect age, incorrectoccupation, etc.), which may be frustrating to users seeking other userswith specific attributes, (iii) reliance on pictures and superficialinformation, which may make certain users feel shallow or like they areparticipating in a “meat market”, and which may be less likely to resultin a compatible match when compared with being set up by someone whoknows the person, and/or (iv) user loneliness, where certain users mayfeel isolated if their profile is not selected by another user as apotential match and/or where certain users may feel lonely on emptynights in between successful dating experiences. Such problems mayreduce the number of new users joining such services and/or may make fora frustrating user experience. This disclosure describes a novelinteractive online dating experience that may address these problems andprovide an enjoyable user experience.

For example, this new online dating service may facilitate a userseeking a partner to create a profile of itself and of its desiredpartner. Then, the service may assign that partner-seeking user toanother member of the service (e.g., a DateBuddy® (or “DB”)) based onany suitable information (e.g., based on a shared geographic area,shared interests, someone who may be similar to the desired partnerdescribed by the user, etc.). The service may facilitate the DB withinformation about the user (e.g., provide the DB with the ability toreview the user's profile, pits and video) and enable to the DB tointeract directly with the user to better understand what the user isabout and what the user may be looking for in a desired partner. Theservice may then promote or otherwise stimulate the DB to search throughall of its friends, neighbors, peers, acquaintances, and/or any othersuitable people in any network of the DB to see who may be a good matchas a potential candidate partner for the user assigned to that DB. Anycandidates identified by the DB may then be enabled by the service tointeract with the service (e.g., for free) and potentially connect withthe DB's user, thereby giving the user and/or the candidate the optionof pursuing each other if the interest exists. When a DB has offered allavailable candidates with the ability to interact with the service, theDB may indicate as much to the service, and the service may assign a newDB to the user and/or may assign the original DB to another user so asto repeat the process based on this new DB-user combination, therebyleveraging the unique set of people known to a particular DB inattempting to find a compatible partner for a particular user assignedto that DB. Even though a DB is not intended to be an actual candidatedating partner for the partner-seeking user assigned to the DB, theservice may require that the user and DB feel comfortable with oneanother, as they may need to share certain personal information with oneanother and/or be in a certain form of direct contact in order topromote the function of the DB. Therefore, the service may be configuredto offer the partner-seeking user and/or the DB with the opportunity toaccept or decline each user-DB assignment suggested by the service priorto enabling such interaction Moreover, the service may not only assign aDB to a particular user, but the service may also offer the services ofthat particular user as a DB to another user of the service, such that asingle user of the service may not only be afforded with the friendshipand partner-finding services of an assigned DB but may also be affordedwith the friendship and partner-yearning dependencies of another user.

This service improves upon currently known services and overcomes theabove-described problems in many ways. For example, a DB's familiaritywith its candidates may significantly reduce the problem of falserepresentation in profiles, as the DB personally knows the people in itsnetwork. The candidates being provided by the DB may be required toactively interact with the service in order to potentially meet the DB'spartner-seeking user, which may thereby negate the possibility ofsquatting, as the act of signing on in real-time may validate that thecandidate is currently active and potentially interested in meeting theuser. The service facilitates immediate contact between a user and a DBand promotes the maintaining of that contact during the process, therebypossibly creating a new friendship each time, and always giving both thepartner-seeking user and the DB the opportunity to socialize when theymight otherwise have been alone. This ability of the service to make auser less lonely may be overcome in two ways, not only by facilitatingimmediate contact between a user and its assigned DB but also byfacilitating contact between that same user and another user that willrely on that user as a DB. The service can increase the chances of asuccessful date by not relying solely or significantly on pictures orother superficial information (e.g., age or occupation), as a DB knowstheir friends personally and far better than might an algorithm and/or apartner-seeking user by just reviewing someone's online profile.Moreover, through interaction facilitated by the service, thepartner-seeking user and the DB may learn much more about each otherthan what may be reasonably learned by an algorithm and/or by review ofsomeone's online profile, such that when a DB may choose a friend as apotential candidate for their partner-seeking user, the chances of amatch are far greater.

Helping other people feels good and promotes user engagement with thisservice. DB-arranged connections between friends of the DB and thepartner-seeking user assigned to the DB may be tracked by the service,thereby providing the opportunity to create rankings and eventually anauction/bid scenario for the services of certain DBs. Therefore, someincentives for a user to perform the function of the DB for the servicemay include, but are not limited to, (i) a benevolent feeling helpingothers, (ii) engagement in ongoing social contact and possiblyfriendship with person you are helping (e.g., not only yourpartner-seeking user but also your friends who you may choose aspotential candidates for the user), (iii) tracking/ranking of theservice may tap into the DB's competitive side and may track datecontacts and maintain stats regarding the effectiveness and success rateof a particular DB, and (iv) each successful date or meeting oradvancing level of engagement between a partner-seeking user and acandidate found by a DB may result in at least on reward for the DB,such as by a first reward (e.g., a “CharityBuck” (“CB”)) and a secondreward (e.g., a “BuddyBuck” (“BB”)), where a CB may be a donation to thecharity of choice of the DB as a show of thanks for helping another, andwhere a BB may be a discount that can be applied to a store that may beassociated with the service, whose vendors may offer discountedproducts/services tailored to the singles/dating demographic (e.g.,resulting in a unique monetization component for a dating service).Moreover, this service may tap into existing social networks and/orextend into its own social networking space (e.g., “BuddyNation®”).

FIG. 1 shows a system 1 in which an online networking service may befacilitated amongst various users, FIG. 2 shows further details withrespect to a particular embodiment of a client station 100 of system 1,FIGS. 3-35 show example screens 300-3500 that may be representative of agraphical user interface of a client station 100 during use of theonline networking service, and FIGS. 36-39B are flowcharts ofillustrative processes for using the online networking service.

Description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative system 1 in which anonline dating service may be facilitated amongst various users. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, system 1 may include an online datingservice (“ODS”) subsystem 10, at least one client station 100 (e.g.,client stations 100 a-100 f), and a communications network 50 throughwhich ODS subsystem 10 and at least one client station 100 maycommunicate.

As shown in FIG. 2, and as described in more detail below, a clientdevice 100 may include a processor component 112, a memory component113, a communications component 114, sensor 115, an input/output (“I/O”)component 116, a power supply component 117, and/or a bus 118 that mayprovide one or more wired or wireless communication links or paths fortransferring data and/or power to, from, or between various othercomponents of device 100. I/O component 116 may include at least oneinput component (e.g., button, mouse, keyboard) to receive informationfrom a user and/or at least one output component (e.g., audio speaker,video display, haptic component) to provide information to a user, suchas a touch screen that may receive input information through a user'stouch of a display screen and that may also provide visual informationto a user via that same display screen. Memory 113 may include one ormore storage mediums, including for example, a hard-drive, flash memory,permanent memory such as read-only memory (“ROM”), semi-permanent memorysuch as random access memory (“RAM”), any other suitable type of storagecomponent, or any combination thereof. Communications component 114 maybe provided to allow device 100 to communicate with one or more otherdevices 100 or servers or subsystems (e.g., ODS subsystem 10) using anysuitable communications protocol (e.g., via communications network 50).Communications component 114 can be operative to create or connect to acommunications network. Communications component 114 can providewireless communications using any suitable short-range or long-rangecommunications protocol, such as Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol),Bluetooth, radio frequency systems (e.g., 1200 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHzcommunication systems), infrared, protocols used by wireless andcellular telephones and personal e-mail devices, or any other protocolsupporting wireless communications. Communications component 114 canalso be operative to connect to a wired communications network ordirectly to another data source wirelessly or via one or more wiredconnections. Sensor 115 may be any suitable sensor that may beconfigured to sense any suitable data for device 100 (e.g.,location-based data via a GPS sensor system). Power supply 117 caninclude any suitable circuitry for receiving and/or generating power,and for providing such power to one or more of the other components ofdevice 100. Device 100 may also be provided with a housing 101 that mayat least partially enclose one or more of the components of device 100for protection from debris and other degrading forces external to device100. Each component of device 100 may be included in the same housing100 (e.g., as a single unitary device, such as a laptop computer orportable media device) and/or different components may be provided indifferent housings (e.g., a keyboard input component may be provided ina first housing that may be communicatively coupled to a processorcomponent and a display output component that may be provided in asecond housing). In some embodiments, device 100 may include othercomponents not combined or included in those shown or several instancesof the components shown.

Processor 112 may be used to run one or more applications, such as anapplication 119 that may be accessible from memory 113 and/or any othersuitable source (e.g., from ODS subsystem 10 via an active internetconnection). Application 119 may include, but is not limited to, one ormore operating system applications, firmware applications, communicationapplications, internet browsing applications (e.g., for interacting witha website provided by ODS subsystem 10 for enabling device 100 tointeract with an online service), dating service applications (e.g., aweb application or a native application that may be at least partiallyproduced by ODS subsystem 10 for enabling device 100 to interact with anonline service), or any other suitable applications. For example,processor 102 may load an application 119 as a user interface program todetermine how instructions or data received via an input component ofI/O component 116 or other component of device 100 may manipulate theway in which information may be stored and/or provided to the user viaan output component of I/O component 116. As one example, application119 may provide a user with the ability to interact with an onlinedating service of ODS subsystem 10, where application 119 be a thirdparty application that may be running on device 100 (e.g., anapplication associated with ODS subsystem 10 that may be loaded ondevice 100 via an application market, such as the Apple App Store orGoogle Play) that may be accessed via an internet application or webbrowser (e.g., by Apple Safari or Google Chrome) running on device 100that may be pointed to a uniform resource locator (“URL”) whose targetor web resource may be managed by ODS subsystem 10.

ODS subsystem 10 may include a processor component 12 that may besimilar to processor 112, a memory component 13 that may be similar tomemory component 113, a communications component 14 that may be similarto communications component 114, an I/O component 16 that may be similarto I/O component 116, a power supply component 17 that may be similar topower supply component 117, and/or a bus 18 that may be similar to bus118. Moreover, ODS subsystem 10 may include one or more data sources ordata structures 15 that may include any suitable data for facilitatingan online dating service that may be provided by ODS subsystem 10 to oneor more client devices 100. Some or all portions of ODS subsystem 10 maybe operated, managed, or otherwise at least partially controlled by anentity responsible for providing an online dating service to one or moreusers.

ODS subsystem 10 may communicate with one or more client devices 10 viacommunications network 50. Network 50 may be the internet or any othernetwork, such that when interconnected, a client device 100 may accessinformation (e.g., from data structure 15 of ODS subsystem 10, as may beprovided as a dating service via processor 12 of ODS subsystem 10) as ifsuch information were stored locally at that client device 100 (e.g., inmemory component 113).

Description of FIGS. 3-35

To facilitate the following discussion regarding the operation of system1 for providing an online dating service with ODS subsystem 10 and atleast one client device 100, reference is made to one or more processesof one or more flowcharts of FIGS. 36-39B, to various components ofsystem 1 of the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2, and to front viewsof screens 300-3500 of FIGS. 3-35 that may be representative of agraphical user interface of one or more client devices 100 during suchan online dating service (e.g., a UI that may be provided via an I/Ocomponent 116 of device 100 to a user). The operation described may beachieved with a wide variety of graphical elements and visual schemes.Therefore, the embodiments of FIGS. 3-35 are not intended to be limitedto the precise user interface conventions adopted herein. Rather,embodiments may include a wide variety of user interface styles.

As shown by screen 300 of FIG. 3, an ODS may initially provide a landingpage that may be provided to any person who attempts to access a serviceof ODS subsystem 10 (e.g., by installing its application or accessingits website). Screen 300 may include a link to or automatic playback ofa tutorial (e.g., a parallaxing tutorial) explaining one or moreservices that may be provided, an explainer video or text that maydescribe various features of the ODS, and/or the ability to create a newuser account and/or to log-in to an existing user account in order tofacilitate full access to one or more features. In some embodiments, theODS may offer a user with the ability to create an account or log-in toa pre-existing account of one of various account types, such as anindividual that may be using the service for seeking a partner (e.g., amember (“MEM”)) who may participate in both the Buddy and DateBuddyroles, an individual (e.g., a candidate (“CAND”)) that may not alreadybe a member but that may have been invited by a member (e.g., by a MEMuser acting in the matchmaker or DB role (DBM), or by an exclusive DB(DBE)) to meet another member (e.g., a MEM user acting in the Buddy role(BDM) or an exclusive Buddy (BDE)), an individual that may be using theservice solely for performing the matchmaking or datebuddy (“DB”)function (e.g., a DB-exclusive (“DBE”)), and/or an individual that maybe using the service solely for performing the partner-seeking or Buddyfunction (e.g., a Buddy-exclusive (“BDE”)). Therefore, there may be atleast four (4) user types that may utilize at least three (3) roles orpathways to access the ODS. Four user types may include MEM (combiningBDM & DBM), CAND, DBE and BDE. Three roles, or pathways, may includeBuddy (BD), Datebuddy (DB), and Candidate (CAND). Screen 300 may be thelanding or home page for the ODS. It may be designed as a vertical orscrolling tutorial that may provide the first and most basic attempt atexplaining the process. The initial pane may describe the assignment ofa matchmaker, or Datebuddy. The second and third panes may describe someof the advantages of having a Datebuddy. The fourth pane may describesetting up your friends and may reference the concurrent function orrole of participating as a Datebuddy for others, and cultivating newfriendships as well. The fifth pane may mention the reward system andits relation to the set up process.

The first user type (e.g., user type 1 or new member or member or MEM)may be an individual interested in finding a new relationship or partnervia the ODS. This MEM may utilize two pathways during its interactionwith the ODS, such as pathway A and/or pathway B. If a MEM user utilizesPathway A, also known as the Buddy role Pathway, they would be referredto as a MEM-user-as-BD or BDM. Pathway A may be a primary pathway wherethe individual may create a user account that may be descriptive of theuser personally, of the user's preferences for a partner, and/or of theuser's preferences for a DB who may function as a matchmaker for them(e.g., in response to one or more questions provided by the ODS). Suchprofiles may include the gender, age, weight, height, geographiclocation, occupation, interests, dislikes, etc. of the MEM user as wellas the gender, age, weight, height, geographic location, occupation,interests, dislikes, etc. of the desired partner of that MEM user, andcharacteristic preferences of their prospective DB. Based on suchinformation provided by a MEM user and information provided by theeventually matched DB (which may include the potential DB's personalinformation, their partner preferences (if they are a partner-seekingfull member MEM) and their Buddy or user-as-buddy preferences(preferences regarding who they may help)) and any other information theODS may have access to that may be relevant to the matching process, theODS (e.g., based on algorithm driven logic) may identify at least oneother user that may be a good matchmaker or DB for that MEM user. TheODS may allow for approval of both the MEM user as buddy (BDM) and theidentified DB user (e.g., two-sided acceptance) before enabling eachuser to access a dashboard that can facilitate directinteraction/communication between the MEM user as buddy (BDM) and the DBuser in order to equip the DB user with the most information possible toenable the most productive search for one or more candidate partners forthe MEM user. Alternatively or additionally, such dashboards may enableboth the MEM user and the DB user to monitor the status of the variousrecruited candidates. The ODS may also enable a MEM user to go to atleast three additional locations, including two dashboards that maymetric various awards that may have been granted to that user for theirefforts up to that point, such as discounts (“BuddyBucks”) and charitycontributions (“CharityBucks”), either of which may eventually beincorporated back into the primary dashboard page, but for now may beshown separately for clarity, and a third location may be a socialcommunity page, which may allow the MEM user to monitor and share in asocial network dashboard all the friends that they have made throughprevious ODS interactions e.g., DBs, candidates, etc.). Additionally,the ODS may be configured to link to a marketplace (e.g., an eStore)that may enable a user to redeem discounts for purchases, or to send agift to someone. If a MEM user utilizes Pathway B, also known as theDateBuddy Role Pathway, they would be referred to as a MEM-user-as-DB orDBM. Pathway B may be an additional pathway for a MEM user for afterthat MEM user has created a profile and reviewed its dashboard(s), theuser may (e.g., click on a second tab on a dashboard labeled “Buddies”)access pathway B. This DBM may be assigned to a Buddy (eitherMEM-user-as-Buddy (BDM) or exclusive Buddy (BDE)) to help (the Buddy)locate a partner by offering to introduce their friends as candidates.The ODS may use any information that it deems relevant to enhance thecompatibility of the algorithm match, including the DB preferences ofthe Buddy, the personal information and partner preferences of theBuddy, the personal information, partner preferences and Buddypreferences of the DBM, and may additionally consider any relevantmetrics and/or history of activity on the site. Nearly identical to thefirst, this dashboard may be oriented in reverse and may be a dashboardfor the MEM user to act as DB for another MEM user functioning in theBuddy role (may be either BDM or BDE). This dashboard may allow them tomonitor the status of all the members they are or were helping. They canthen link back to all the other links previously mentioned in pathway A.A MEM user acting in the role of DB may be referred to herein as a DBMuser.

The second user type (e.g., user type 2 or candidate or CAND user) maybe recruited by a DB (of any type) and may be invited (e.g., given alink/code) to access the ODS (e.g., for free) in order to be introducedby the ODS to a Buddy, who may be either a MEM user-as-Buddy (BDM) or aBDE, that the DB user is helping. Such a CAND user may enter the ODS viaa pathway C, candidate role pathway, with a link, code, or any othersuitable mechanism that may be associated with or uniquely related tothe pairing of a Buddy (either MEM-user-as-Buddy (BDM) or individualexclusively acting as Buddy (BDE)) and respective DB user. The ODS mayprovide such a CAND user with the opportunity to create a profilesimilar to a new MEM user, and the CAND user may have an opportunity toassess his or her interest in the Buddy user that the DB user issuggesting by being provided with any suitable profile information ofthat Buddy user. In certain embodiments, the same user input informationmay be requested by both a user information input form for a CAND useras well as by a user information input form for a MEM user. In suchinstances, if a CAND user later chooses to also leverage the ODS as apartner-seeking user, a partial or full profile may already exist forthat user. If a full profile is not created, it can be done so at alater time as mentioned below. The candidate may be asked to provide alimited profile, which may include their personal information list andtheir partner preferences. The ODS may be configured to enable a CANDuser to create a profile and/or to review the applicable MEM user'sprofile whom the recommending DB user is representing, and to thenextend a greeting to initiate contact between the CAND user and theBuddy user if each are interested in the other based on their review ofeach other's profile information and/or other information shared amongstthe two users. If mutual interest is expressed, the ODS may link eachone of the interested Buddy user and CAND user to a revised dashboardthat may represent the status of their interactions. In someembodiments, the CAND user may not be presented with any dashboards fordiscounts or charity contribution tallies because these functions maynot be available to them at this juncture. Should a CAND user'sinteraction with the suggested Buddy user fail (e.g., not result in asuccessful connection or attempted partnership), or should the CANDdesire to expand their participation with the ODS, the ODS may offerthat CAND user an opportunity to join the ODS as a MEM user (e.g.,possibly for a discounted initial fee compared to an original MEM user),at which point such a CAND user turned MEM user may be able to backtrack through a profile creation process in a modified way to fill inthe sections not initially done (e.g., certain desired partnerinformation, DB preferences, user-as-DB or Buddy preferences, billinginformation, etc. that may be required for a MEM user but not a CANDuser).

A third user type (e.g., user type 3 or a pure/exclusive DateBuddy orDBE) may have a role purely as a DB user and not also as a Buddy/MEMuser (does not seek a partner and therefore does not desire toparticipate in Buddy role). An example of this may be an individual notlooking for a partner but who may have friends that are looking for apartner. Such a DBE user may access the ODS via a pathway B exclusively,which may bypass some of the profile creation steps of pathway A, thoughit may include receiving information about the DBE user (e.g.,geographic location, age, gender, etc.) including personal profileinformation and Buddy preferences and any other information, that may bedeemed important for an algorithm that may be leveraged by the ODS toassign successful match-ups between partner-seeking Buddy and DB users(e.g., DBE users) and to provide information that a Buddy user maybenefit from in assessing the fit for the prospective DBE who may helpthem. A DBE may then be provided with a dashboard that may be similar topathway B, where the DBE may monitor the status of the Buddy user thatthey may represent (be helping). Unlike a CAND user, a DBE user may beparticipating in the matchmaking datebuddy function, and therefore mayreceive certain rewards for each connection they generate between theirBuddy user and a discovered CAND user, and therefore a DBE user may alsobe provided with access to one or more mini-dashboards for trackingcharity, discount, and/or other rewards similar to pathway A. A DBE usermay also have access to an eStore and/or a social community of the ODS.The social community may have variable access depending on the role(s)of participation in the overall process, such as the range of communityvisibility or function.

The function of a DB may therefore result from two different rolesutilizing Pathway B of the ODS, a MEM user acting as DB (DBM) and anexclusive DB (DBE). In the case of a MEM user, they may act as a Buddy(BDM) and may also concurrently act as a DB (DBM) for anotherpartner-seeking member (BDM or BDE). Additionally or alternatively, amatchmaking DB function may be performed by a DBE user who may accessthe ODS solely for that purpose. In both cases, a version of ademographic profile of a user may be leveraged for an algorithm that maybe used to link a DB user to a partner-seeking user. This may includepersonal information, partner preferences (if a DBM) and Buddypreferences. For a DBE user (e.g., via pathway B), the DBE user may beprovided with a modified user information input form that may be focusedon data needed for that DB-MEM linking algorithm as well as provideinformation that a Buddy user may benefit from in assessing the DBE'sfit. In such instances, a MEM user profile may be more extensive withrespect to the user information input by the user during generation ofthat MEM user profile, but only certain portions of that MEM userprofile may be leveraged for an algorithm that may be used to link a DBuser to a partner-seeking user. In other embodiments, the same userinput information may be requested by a user information input form fora DBE user as well as by a user information input form for apartner-seeking MEM user. In such instances, if a DBE user later choosesto also leverage the ODS as a partner-seeking MEM user, a full profilemay already exist for that user. A fourth user type may be a user actingsolely as a Buddy, or BDE. This user is similar to user Type 1 in thatthey are also partner-seeking, though unlike user type 1, they are notparticipating in the DB function, and will use Pathway A exclusively.They may be asked to provide information that may be useful for the ODSalgorithm to provide the most successful Buddy-DB match, and that alsomay allow the potential DB the opportunity to review their profile andassess their fit as Buddy. This information may include personal profileinformation, partner preference criteria and DB preference criteria.Should they refuse a DB offered by the ODS, they may be placed back inthe algorithm pool to be re-assigned, and any response they provideassociated with their rejection may be integrated in some way to thealgorithm to improve the chance of compatibility of the algorithm goingforward. Similar to the CAND user, since they may not participate in theDB function, they may not receive rewards that are classicallyassociated with some aspect of the DB role, and therefore they may nothave access to the dashboards associated with the different rewardstructures. However, there may be an embodiment in the ODS that mayallow for a reward structure to be assigned in a non-conventional way.For users that participate in one of the exclusive pathways, either theDBE (exclusively a Datebuddy function) or BDE (exclusively a Buddyfunction), the ODS may leverage less than the total amount of userinformation which may be asked to input for a full MEM user whoparticipates in both roles. For this reason, the input forms requestinginformation may be a subset of the total information, only that neededby the ODS to most effectively populate the algorithm for their givenrole, or they may be asked initially to input more or all of theinformation asked of a full MEM user. If their input information ispartial, then should they ever decide to advance their participation toinclude additional roles, the ODS may request further input informationto allow for most effective data to run the algorithm. If they provideall the information initially, then should they ever decide to advancetheir participation, the ODS may already have access to the appropriatedata. A MEM user, who participates in both the Buddy and DB roles, maybe asked for their personal information, their partner preferences,their DB preferences and their Buddy preferences. The CAND may be askedfor their personal information and their partner preferences. Theexclusive DB, or DBE, may be asked for their personal information andtheir Buddy preferences. The exclusive Buddy, or BDE, may be asked fortheir personal information, their partner preferences and their DBpreferences.

Therefore, the ODS may be configured to provide at least five (5) typesof UI dashboards, including, but not limited to, (i) a dashboard for theBuddy role (MEM user as BD (BDM) or a BDE) that may be following itsinteractions with one or more CAND users recommended by a DB user aswell as may show all other past and present DB users with theirrespective CANDs for that Buddy user (e.g., pathway A), (ii) a dashboardfor a user acting as a matchmaking DB user (DBM or DBE), for anotherBuddy user (e.g., pathway B) that may show all present and past Buddyusers they have helped along with the respective CANDs that have beenoffered to them, (iii) a dashboard for a CAND user that may be followingits interaction with a Buddy user for which they have been recruited bya DB user (e.g., pathway C), (iv) a dashboard for a DBE user that may befollowing its' assigned present and past Buddy user's interactions withany suggested CAND users (e.g., pathway B), and/or (v) a dashboard for aBuddy user acting solely in that role, not participating in the DB role,which may follow all present and past interactions with one or morecandidates users recommended by a DB user as well as may show all otherpast and present DB users with their respective Candidates for thatBuddy user. Types (i) and (v) may be essentially identical, as may betypes (ii) and (iv). The various types of individuals interacting withthe ODS may be a partner-seeking MEM user (e.g., a paid member or fullmember of the ODS) who may act as a partner-seeking Buddy (e.g., a BDM)and also as a DB user acting in a role as matchmaker (e.g., a MEM useras DB (e.g., a DBM), a pure Buddy individual (e.g., a BDE) who may notalso act in the DB role and a pure DB individual that is not also apartner-seeking user (e.g., a DBE)), and a CAND user acting as asuggested partner for a partner-seeking user (Buddy) by a DB user. Insome embodiments, the ODS may be configured to charge a fee to certainuser types at certain times. For example, a MEM user may be charged aninitial ODS fee when generating a complete MEM user account and/or maybe charged a fee for every month or other time frame that the MEM useraccount is maintained. Alternatively, the ODS may enable a CAND useraccount to be created for free or for a reduced charge, but then mayrequire an additional fee if/when such a CAND user is upgraded to a MEMuser or other account and/or after any other suitable event (e.g.,if/when such a CAND user is affirmatively connected with a MEM user). ADBE user (e.g., a user that may exclusively interact with the ODS as aDB but not as a MEM user) may be enabled by the ODS to create a DBEaccount for free or a reduced fee that may be less than that for a MEMuser account. A sole BD, or BDE, may be charged in a similar fashion ascompared to a MEM user, with the possibility of an incrementally highercharge.

As shown by screen 400 of FIG. 4, an ODS may provide a MEM user profilepage (e.g., a member profile screen) when a user chooses to interactwith the ODS as a MEM user (e.g., along pathway A). Screen 400 mayinclude providing the ability to create, edit, and/or simply view anexisting profile. As shown, profile page of screen 400 may include,among various other features, the ability for a MEM user to upload orotherwise provide one or more pictures, videos, or other data in anysuitable formats to the ODS that may be representative of the MEM user(e.g., “personal” information) and/or representative of the desiredfuture partner that the MEM user may be desirous of (e.g., “interestedin” information). Personal information may include, but is not limitedto, biographical data, demographical/geographical data, and/or detailedinformation about the hobbies, activities, and topics of interest (“HAT”criteria of the user), including graded responses and narrativeresponses, where narrative responses may involve a description of auser's self-perception of personality, beliefs, and values. Thispersonal information may include, but is not limited to, user responsesto one or more examples of the following (i.e., personal informationlist):

-   -   I am a (e.g., male, female, etc.)    -   Interested in meeting (e.g., male, female, etc.)    -   My birthdate is ?    -   My zip code is ?    -   I am interested in a [ . . . ] relationship (e.g., exclusive,        etc.)    -   Height    -   Weight    -   Body style    -   Hair color    -   Eye color    -   Facial features    -   Ethnicity    -   Language (primary)    -   Language (secondary)    -   Education    -   Career    -   Income    -   Religion and Importance    -   Pets    -   Kids    -   Marriage history and/or history of long-term relationships    -   Smoking    -   Drinking    -   Drugs (where legal)    -   Exercise    -   Astrology    -   Cultural background    -   Hometown    -   Hobbies (e.g., chess)    -   Activities (e.g., rollerblading)    -   Areas of interest (e.g., jazz)    -   Describe yourself    -   How would your friends describe you?    -   What are your strengths and weaknesses?    -   Upload at least one picture of yourself here    -   Upload at least one video of yourself here    -   Select at least one charity to be rewarded here        Some or all of this personal information may be ranked according        to importance of the user (e.g., multiple hobbies may be ranked        based on importance to the user). Some of this personal        information may be made visible to other users while other        information may not be visible to other users, such as an        assigned DB. At a user's profile page, a user may also choose        one or more charities that may be used by the ODS for the        purpose of fulfilling the redemption of CharityBucks that may be        rewarded at certain events (e.g., achieved levels of engagement        such as whenever a date for a connection is achieved). All such        information for a user profile may be provided by a user to an        ODS (e.g., from a user's interaction with a client device 100 of        FIG. 1 to an ODS subsystem 10 of FIG. 1).

Information for a user's prospective partner may include, but is notlimited to, biographical data, demographical/geographical data, and/ordetailed information about the hobbies, activities, and topics ofinterest (“HAT” criteria of the user's prospective partner), includinggraded responses and narrative responses, where narrative responses mayinvolve a description of a user's expectations and hopes about theirprospective partner's character and personality. This partner preferenceinformation may include, but is not limited to, user responses to one ormore examples of the following (i.e., partner preference list):

-   -   Gender of the partner    -   Sexual Orientation of the partner    -   Radius of the partner from my zip code [ . . . ]    -   Radius of the partner from another zip code    -   Miles of the partner from zip code    -   Age range of the partner    -   Height range of the partner    -   Weight range of the partner    -   Body style of the partner    -   Ethnicity of the partner    -   Education of the partner    -   Language of the partner    -   Career of the partner    -   Income of the partner    -   Religion of the partner and importance thereof    -   Pets    -   Kids    -   Marriage history and/or history of long-term relationships    -   Smoking    -   Drinking    -   Drugs (where legal)    -   Exercise    -   Astrology    -   Hair color of the partner    -   Eye color of the partner    -   Facial features of the partner    -   Hobbies of the partner    -   Activities of the partner    -   Areas of interest of the partner    -   Describe what I am looking for in a partner    -   What things do I value most in a partner?    -   What things are not important to me about my partner?    -   Describe my expectations of a partner on the average day        Some of this partner preference information may be ranked        according to importance of the user (e.g., multiple hobbies of a        potential partner may be ranked based on importance to the user,        or if a user is open to dating partners of different body        styles, each body style may be ranked by the user based on        interest level). Some of this partner preference information may        be made visible to other users while other information may not        be visible to other users, such as an assigned DB.

At a user's profile page, a user may also choose one or more desiredcharacteristics of a DB that may be assigned to that user. Thisinformation may allow for further expansion of the demographic range foruse in algorithm DB-MEM matching, while trying to minimize the potentialfor an undesirable assignment. For example, information describing auser's DB (or DB preference) may include, but is not limited to,biographical data, demographical/geographical data, and/or detailedinformation about the hobbies, activities, and topics of interest (“HAT”criteria of the user's DB), including graded responses and narrativeresponses, where narrative responses may involve a description of auser's expectations and hopes about their DB's character andpersonality. This DB preference information may include, but is notlimited to, user responses to one or more examples of the following(i.e., DB preference list):

-   -   Gender of the DB    -   Sexual Orientation of the DB    -   Radius of the DB from my zip code [ . . . ]    -   Radius of the DB from another zip code    -   Miles of the DB from zip code    -   Age range of the DB    -   Ethnicity of the DB    -   Education of the DB    -   Language of the DB    -   Career of the DB    -   Income of the DB    -   Religion of the DB and importance thereof    -   Pets    -   Kids    -   Marriage history and/or history of long-term relationships    -   Smoking    -   Drinking    -   Drugs (where legal)    -   Exercise    -   Astrology    -   Hobbies of the DB    -   Activities of the DB    -   Areas of interest of the DB    -   Describe what I am looking for in a DB    -   What things do I value most in a DB?    -   What things are not important to me about my DB?    -   Describe my expectations of a DB on the average day        DB preferences may also extend to DB metrics, which may include        preferences associated with metrics related to rankings, history        of success measured via any logical manner, statistics on number        of CAND, Number of successes, number of DB matches, overall        attempts, average time as DB, total time as DB, ranking and        statistics of their associated CANDs. Some or all of this DB        preference information may be ranked according to importance of        the user. Some of this DB preference information may be made        visible to other users while other information may not be        visible to other users, such as an assigned DB. For example,        certain profile information may be made available to a DB but        not to a CAND associated with the user. In some embodiments, an        algorithm for matching a MEM user with a DB user may leverage        the partner preference information of the MEM user's profile,        and may in addition leverage any DB preference information of        the MEM user's profile. However, by accepting and leveraging DB        preference information of a MEM user's profile in a MEM-DB        matching algorithm, such a matching algorithm may be expanded to        allow more customization. For example, while a MEM user may be a        single male seeking a single female as a preferred dating        partner, that MEM user may prefer a matchmaker DB that is a        non-single male rather than a single female, as the single male        MEM user may be more comfortable working with a male matchmaker        DB. As another example, while a MEM user may be a single male        seeking a single Caucasian female as a preferred dating partner,        that MEM user may not have any preference with respect to the        race of the matchmaker DB and may be perfectly fine with an        Asian female as a matchmaker DB. In addition the ODS may be        configured to receive feedback or otherwise determine        information indicative of why a DB-MEM recommended match was        accepted or declined, and may leverage such information for        updating the effectiveness of the DB-MEM algorithm for future        use.

At a user's profile page, a user may also enter certain information withrespect to that user acting as a matchmaker DB (either a DBM or a DBE)for another user (MEM user acting as Buddy or a BDE) called BuddyPreferences. For example, information describing a user's ability to actas a DB may include, but is not limited to, biographical data of thebuddy user, demographical/geographical data of the buddy user, and/ordetailed information about the hobbies, activities, and topics ofinterest (“HAT” criteria) of the user including graded responses andnarrative responses. The user as DB (either as DBM or DBE) may providepreferences for their potential Buddy (either BDM or BDE) they may beassigned to help, referred to as Buddy Preferences. This Buddypreference information may include, but is not limited to, userresponses to one or more examples of the following (i.e., user-as-DBlist):

-   -   I am a (e.g., male, female, etc.)    -   My birthdate is    -   My zip code is    -   Ethnicity    -   Language (primary)    -   Language (secondary)    -   Education    -   Career    -   Religion and Importance    -   Pets    -   Kids    -   Marriage history and/or history of long-term relationships    -   Smoking    -   Drinking    -   Drugs (where legal)    -   Exercise    -   Astrology    -   Hobbies    -   Activities    -   Areas of interest    -   Describe myself    -   Why do you want to be a datebuddy?    -   Upload your picture here    -   Upload your video here    -   Link to your social networks    -   Charity List    -   Interested in being a datebuddy for a (e.g., gender of DB's        partner-seeking user)    -   Who is looking to meet a (e.g., sexual orientation of DB's        partner-seeking user)    -   Radius of the DB's partner-seeking user from my zip code [ . . .        ]    -   Radius of the DB's partner-seeking user from another zip code    -   Miles of the DB's partner-seeking user from zip code    -   Age range of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Ethnicity of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Education of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Language of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Career of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Income of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Religion of the DB's partner-seeking user and importance thereof    -   Pets    -   Kids    -   Marriage history and/or history of long-term relationships    -   Smoking    -   Drinking    -   Drugs (where legal)    -   Exercise    -   Astrology    -   Hobbies of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Activities of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Areas of interest of the DB's partner-seeking user    -   Describe what I am looking for in a DB's partner-seeking user    -   What things do I value most in a DB's partner-seeking user?    -   What things are not important to me about my DB's        partner-seeking user?    -   Describe my expectations of a DB's partner-seeking user on the        average day    -   My pool of candidates may be described as (e.g., gender, sexual        orientation, age, locations, interests, etc. of my candidate        pool (e.g., of my friends)        Some or all of this user-as-DB (Buddy) preference information        may be ranked according to importance of the user. Some of this        user-as-DB (Buddy) preference information may be made visible to        other users while other information may not be visible to other        users, such as an assigned partner-seeking user. The information        provided by a given user may include their personal information,        their partner preferences, their DB preferences and their Buddy        Preferences. The ODS may leverage any or all of these components        from one or both parties involved in the DB-Buddy match made by        the algorithm. The ODS may allow any or all of this information,        or none at all, to be visible to any given participant in this        process. The ODS may in addition leverage any other information        which may increase the efficacy of the process, and thus the        compatibility of the match. This information may include any        feedback by any role type from previous matches, accepted or        rejected, any metrics of the role types or preferences related        to same, any history of behavior on the site participating in        any role, either overt, such as feedback response to a previous        match, or covert, such as a pattern of behavior associated with        a visual pattern, such as the data available via photos and        videos, or a description of visual information (an example of        this may be noting a pattern of response that is positive or        negative in relation to a visual attribute of another party,        such as DB, or any role for that matter, even if it is not        consciously known or reported in the user responses), or any        other information that the ODS may have access to that could        benefit the efficacy of the algorithm.

Some of this user-as-DB (Buddy) preference information may be the sameas some of the other information that may have been provided by a user(e.g., a specific user's gender, location, etc. may be requested both asuser personal information for a MEM user and as user-as-DB informationfor a DBM user), while only user-as-DB information may be requested fora DBE user who is not also interacting with the ODS as a partner-seekingMEM user. For example, as mentioned earlier, for a DBE user (e.g., viapathway B), the DBE user may be provided with a simplified userinformation input form that may be focused just on data needed for thatDB-MEM linking algorithm (e.g., user responses to one or more examplesof the above user-as-DB or Buddy preferences list and personalinformation) and to provide information that a MEM user as Buddy maybenefit from in assessing the fit for the DB role. In such instances, aMEM user profile may be more extensive with respect to the userinformation input by the user during generation of that MEM user profile(e.g., user responses to one or more examples of the above personalinformation list, partner preference list, DB preference list, anduser-as-DB list), but only certain portions of that MEM user profile maybe leveraged for an algorithm that may be used to link a DB user to apartner-seeking MEM user. In other embodiments, the same user inputinformation may be requested by both a user information input form for aDBE user as well as by a user information input form for a MEM user. Insuch instances, if a DBE user later chooses to also leverage the ODS asa partner-seeking user, a full profile may already exist for that user,or, if not, they may further interact with the profile creation processto supplement or complete their profile. As another example, a CAND user(e.g., via pathway C) may only be provided with a simplified userinformation input form that may be focused just on data needed for thatCAND user that may be shared with a MEM user (e.g., user responses toone or more examples of the above personal information list and thepartner preference list, but not the DB preference list and not theuser-as-DB list). In other embodiments, the same user input informationmay be requested by both a user information input form for a CAND useras well as by a user information input form for a MEM user. In suchinstances, if a CAND user later chooses to also leverage the ODS as aDB, a full profile may already exist for that user. And if does not,then the user can participate in a modified profile creation process,which may include the information not already obtained to completeshould the information be needed at a later time, either due to a changein the ODS needs for information, or to a change in the level ofparticipation of the user.

Certain portions or all of the personal information of a MEM user'sprofile may be provided in one or more suitable formats to a DB linkedto that MEM user. The ODS may be configured to automatically share onlycertain components of the profile information and/or all of the profileinformation of a MEM user with an associated DB user (e.g., informationthat may be relevant for a DB user to determine whether or not he or shewishes to work with that MEM user, and/or information that may berelevant for a DB user to determine which of his or her friends may begood candidates for the partner-seeking MEM user). Additionally oralternatively, the MEM user may be able to choose which information ofits user profile may be shared with an assigned DB. Similarly, the ODSmay be configured to automatically share only certain components of theprofile information and/or all of the profile information of a DB userwith an associated MEM user (e.g., information that may be relevant fora MEM user to determine whether or not he or she wishes to work withthat DB). Additionally or alternatively, a DB user may be able to choosewhich information of its user profile may be shared with an assigned MEMuser.

The ODS may leverage certain or all data of a MEM user's profile andcertain or all data of a DB user's profile with any suitable MEM-DBlinking algorithm that may effectively match a MEM user with a suitableDB while also reducing to the degree possible the possibility of anegative interaction between the MEM user and a suggested DB user. Suchinformation may include, but is not limited to, the following:

-   -   A) Geographical—The ODS may be configured for an initial        geographical input that may be based on zip code, but the ODS        may allow input for a range of zip codes or variable distance        from a zip code or from multiple zip codes (e.g., if user has        multiple locations that he is interested in or visits often).        The ODS may utilize a zone larger than the input range, and may        consider a proportional relationship to the range input. The ODS        may also be influenced by the membership availability from a        geographical perspective.    -   B) Gender (e.g., male, female, etc.)    -   C) Sexual Orientation    -   D) Age—this may utilize a sliding scale methodology. The ODS may        use an X year sliding scale whose midpoint may be calculated        from the basis of the range listed under partner preferences. As        just one example, the ODS may start with the range input,        calculate it's midpoint, calculate the delta between that        midpoint and age of member, cap the delta at some number Y,        multiply that midpoint after it is calculated by some variable        Z.    -   E) Ethnicity    -   F) Religion and importance thereof    -   G) Education (may consider broadening beyond preferences)    -   H) Pets    -   I) Kids    -   J) Marriage history and/or history of long-term relationships    -   K) Smoking    -   L) Drinking    -   M) Drugs (where legal)    -   N) Exercise    -   O) Astrology    -   P) Career/Occupation    -   Q) hobbies, activities, and topics of interest (“HAT”        preferences/criteria)—The ODS may allow for some variable        prioritization, such as, the following list, which may be an        example of and a possible prioritization of HAT criteria when        taken into consideration by an ODS algorithm, where HAT criteria        may not only be designated as interested or not, but also may be        given a rating, such as lo, med, hi, or possibly 1-5 from little        to lots of interest, where “specific” may refer to individual        HAT criteria, while “category” may refer to a grouping of        similar HAT criteria together, such as “field sports,” then        taking an average of their rankings, and then may let the        algorithm address them in that manner:        -   1) Specific Hi        -   2) Specific Medium        -   3) Category Hi (Categories are groups of similar H's, A's or            T's)        -   4) Category Medium        -   5) Specific Lo        -   6) Category Lo    -   R) DB success history (e.g., ranking, stats, etc.)—by        maintaining metrics that may include a number of DB-MEM        interactions, number of CANDs offered, number of matches        accepted, number of matches resulting in meetings, number of        matches resulting in any level of engagement, ratios derived        from the same, and the like, may improve various functionalities        of the ODS.    -   S) DB experience—by maintaining metrics that may include a        number of DB-MEM interactions, time parameters, such as        duration/average duration of DB-MEM interactions, duration of        time performing DB role, and the like, may improve various        functionalities of the ODS.        Depending upon demographic availability at any given time of the        algorithm function, the ODS may consider the following        adjustments to a basic algorithm if a particular demographic        pool is limited:    -   A) Geographic—will consider expanding the range    -   B) Age—will consider adjusting the sliding scale variables to        allow for greater inclusion    -   C) Education—will consider expanding achievement level    -   D) HAT criteria—will consider expanding inclusionary parameters        or diminishing exclusionary criteria        If a user profile creation phase of the ODS may allow for user        specific information representative of the user's preferences        for the choice of an assigned DB to extend beyond the        preferences chosen for a partner's preference (e.g., if user        responses to one or more examples of the above DB preference        list may extend beyond user responses to one or more examples of        the above partner preference list), then those preferences may        be leveraged by the ODS algorithm for selecting a DB for a user.        The novel aspects of this process may include using a matching        process for a matchmaking role rather than for a potential        partner role, the increased likelihood in probability of the ODS        facilitating the finding of a partner by finding their friend        (taking advantage of the increased probability of shared or        similar characteristics among friends relative to the population        at large (random sample matched for age range and sex)), which        may afford significantly more accessibility than a classic        matching process where the site is required to identify the        actual partner usually from membership. This process may only        need to find a friend or acquaintance of this potential partner,        which is statistically far greater in likelihood. Another novel        aspect is the gamification of the process, where participation        may lead to a potentially desirable sense of pursuit of a        challenge. To aid in this aspect, metrics may be tracked, which        may be visible to any particular role or not, including such        trackable events as rankings, which may be based on information        which may include number or percentage of matches accepted,        number of CAND offered, and other trackable events which may        include duration of average DB event per match, or total time        participating in DB role. Another novel aspect is the potential        to cultivate friendships in the context of multiple simultaneous        interactions of a benevolent nature, increasing the likelihood        of such friendships forming Another novel aspect is the        potential to track the level of engagement of matches, creating        a unique profile parameter which may aid the algorithm to more        effectively result in successful matchmaking Other trackable        events may include identifying patterns in the detailed match        profiles that are selected by the user, dismissed by the user,        parsed by level of engagement by the user, facial recognition        technology to track characteristics filtered as above, that may        not only aid the algorithm to provide a better outcome, but may        also be used to fuel a direct matching algorithm with unique        covert profile parameters to result in a more highly accurate        matching process compared with current alternatives using direct        matching algorithms.

In some embodiments, after a user may create, edit, or otherwise viewits profile (e.g., at screen 400 of FIG. 4), the ODS may enable a userto access a notification page, which may provide any suitableinformation about the status of any connections, contacts, and/orassignments that may have been made for that user. For example, as shownby screen 500 of FIG. 5, and, in more detail with an overlay by screen600 of FIG. 6, an ODS may provide a user navigation page after a userhas successfully created a user profile. Screens 500 and 600 may includethe ODS providing the user with the ability to see all notifications,only notifications regarding matches with a CAND and/or a DB, and/oronly notifications for set-ups made by that user as a DB for otherusers. Moreover, as shown by screen 600, an overlay menu option mayprovide various options to a user, such as the ability to jump betweendashboards, a message center, a calendar, various networks, a store, thesocial community and the like. Such a notification page may notify themember of all possible interactions that they may be involved in via theDatebuddy process. This may include their membership status, theirprofile creation progress, their assignments to another member, whetherit be a Datebuddy to help them, or a Buddy they will be helping, theoffer of a new match provided by their Datebuddy, the status of aCandidate they are offering to a Buddy they are helping, whether thatCandidate has signed on, and if the match has been accepted, the statusof all direct relationships as well, and any event invitations or eventstatus changes that may occur. This may also show any administrativealerts, and information or changes in the member's reward or trackingmetrics. This may also alert the individual as to any new contactsdirected to them through any possible mechanism available on the site.

In some embodiments, the ODS may enable, support, and/or facilitatepage/sub-page functionality. For example, page or sub-page may launchwhenever a user may be attempting to message another user via aninternal communication service of the ODS. For example, when a user isinteracting with a dashboard of the ODS as a MEM user looking at datingcandidates, and that MEM user indicates in any manner a particularcandidate (e.g., hovers with a UI element over a picture or otheridentifying information of that candidate), a drop down menu may openwith an option to send the candidate a communication (see, e.g., a graydrop down of screen 1100 of FIG. 11, which may be similar to that ofscreen 800 of FIG. 8, while screen 1200 of FIG. 12 may be provided todepict a history of a relationship (e.g., between the active user andJane Doe on the ODS)). When a user may choose that option, a list (e.g.,a scrolling list) of some or all previous interactions between the userand the identified candidate may be triggered, such that the user may berefreshed with respect to their interactions on the ODS (e.g., view oldmessages, last message from user and whether it is new and unread ornot, and then a text area to write a new message). Considerations mayinclude launching a new page when such an option is selected withprofile of target for message and the scrolling dialogue, potentiallywith unread messages, either flagged or colored, and potentially withthe option to close this window when done. Alternatively oradditionally, the ODS may be configured to launch a partial page as acomponent of the primary page that the user is already on. For such anoption, a dashboard may include as a component an area where activedialogue may be tracked in some organized manner, somewhat like a socialnetwork scrolling wall. Gears that may be shown in any drawingassociated with this disclosure may allow the following functionality ina drop down menu format, including chat, messaging, viewing the profileof the picture, sending a gift to the user pictured, inviting the userto any form of calendar event (see below), setting the user up if thatrelationship is allowable by the ODS process, complaining about anddismissing the user pictured.

After a MEM user as buddy, or a BDE, has completed a profile, the ODSmay identify a matchmaking datebuddy (e.g., a DBM user or a DBE user)for that partner-seeking user. As shown by screen 700 of FIG. 7, an ODSmay indicate to the buddy/MEM user that a new DB user has been suggestedas a new datebuddy to that buddy/MEM user. The term “buddy/MEM user”refers to a user performing/participating in the buddy role that may beeither a MEM user acting as a buddy, called a BDM, or an exclusive buddyuser, called a BDE. The ODS may first have enabled that DB user toreview the buddy/MEM user's profile (e.g., information from thebuddy/MEM user's above personal information list, partner preferencelist, and/or DB preference list) to determine whether or not the DBaccepts the ODS's suggestion that the DB be a datebuddy for thatbuddy/MEM user (see, e.g., screen 1500 of FIG. 15 below). If the DB useraccepts the ODS's suggestion, the buddy/MEM user may be presented withscreen 700 that may enable the buddy/MEM user to review the profile ofthat DB user and may enable the buddy/MEM user to either accept ordecline that DB user as its new datebuddy. For example, as shown in FIG.7, screen 700 may include similar profile information to that shown inMEM user profile screen 400 of FIG. 4, but the information of screen 700may include profile information with respect to the assigned DB user(e.g., information from the DB user's responses to one or more examplesof the above user-as-DB list and personal information list (e.g., if theDB is a DBE user), and/or information from the DB user's responses toone or more examples of the above personal information list, partnerpreference list, DB preference list, and user-as-DB list (e.g., if theDB is a DBM user that may also be a partner-seeking MEM user)). Screen700 may enable the buddy/MEM user to either accept or decline this DBuser being suggested by the ODS (e.g., through interaction with thecheckmark (accept) or x-box (decline)). If a buddy/MEM user declines thesuggested DB user (e.g., at screen 700) and/or would like anew/additional DB, the ODS may identify a new suggestion for a DB user(e.g., by identifying another result of the above-described buddy/MEM-DBlinking algorithm and/or by re-running the above-described buddy/MEM-DBlinking algorithm while potentially taking into consideration one ormore buddy/MEM user-supplied reasons as to why the previously identifiedand suggested DB user was declined by the buddy/MEM user so as togenerate a more effective buddy/MEM-DB linking algorithm), and the ODSmay provide that new suggestion to the buddy/MEM user on a new screen700 (e.g., after that new DB user accepts the assignment through reviewof the buddy/MEM user's profile). If a buddy/MEM user accepts thesuggested DB user (e.g., at screen 700), the ODS may notify the DB userof that acceptance such that the DB user may begin to scour his or hernetwork of friends to identify one or more potential candidates for thebuddy/MEM user assigned to that DB user. In some embodiments, the ODSmay first or at any other suitable time facilitate interaction betweenthe buddy/MEM user and its assigned DB user. For example, as shown by adropdown interface on screen 800 of FIG. 8, which may be presented to abuddy/MEM user after acceptance of a DB user, the ODS may facilitatevarious options for the buddy/MEM user to interact with its DB,including, but not limited to, chatting with its DB user (e.g., via achat messaging interface, which may be shown on the right side of screen800 and other screen shots), sending an invitation to the DB andbuddy/MEM users for any various types of more formal communication(e.g., an invitation for a telephone conversation or a personalin-person meeting to further discuss what the buddy/MEM user may be likeand looking for in a partner), facilitating a messaging platform betweenthe buddy/MEM and DB users (e.g., via a messaging system integrated intothe ODS), the ability for the buddy/MEM user to review the history ofthe DB on the ODS (e.g., to see the success rate of the DB in previousDB roles for previous buddy/MEM users and/or may also see the history ofall past and present CAND offerings and interactions for that particularDB-MEM or DB-Buddy match), to send a gift to the DB (e.g., using rewardsof the ODS), invite the buddy/MEM user to any type of calendar event(see below), dismiss the DB from its role assigned to the buddy/MEMuser, send a complaint to the ODS about the DB, and the like. All formsof communication may be encouraged and facilitated by the ODS, includingvideo-conferencing.

A DB user may review its assigned buddy/MEM user's profile informationand/or may directly interact with the buddy/MEM user in any suitable wayfor the DB user to get a better sense of what the buddy/MEM user islooking for in a potential partner, and then the DB user may considerthese buddy/MEM user desires with respect to the various contacts in oneor more suitable networks (including friends, peers, neighbors, andacquaintances) of the DB user to determine one or more potentialcandidates for the buddy/MEM user. For example, the DB user may considerany contacts in any suitable online social network of the DB user (e.g.,Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) to help identify any contacts of the DB userthat may be a good match and a potentially successful candidate for thebuddy/MEM user assigned to that DB user. Alternatively or additionallyto searching through any online social networks for potentialcandidates, the DB user may consider any other contacts known to the DBuser (e.g., friends who may not have much of an online presence if any).Alternatively or additionally, the DB user may consider any contacts ithas that may already be users of the ODS (e.g., either as a DBE user,partner-seeking MEM user, CAND user with respect to some otherpartner-seeking MEM user, etc.). When a particular contact is identifiedby the DB user as a potentially good match for the partner-seekingbuddy/MEM user, the DB user may share at least a portion of the userprofile of the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user with the identifiedcontact. For example, the ODS may provide a link to the partner-seekingbuddy/MEM user's profile that may be shared by the DB user with one ormore contacts of the DB user, where the link may be specific to the DBuser-buddy/MEM user-CAND user interaction and/or may also be limited bytime or number of uses to address concerns of security andexploitation). Such a link may be specifically generated by the ODS forthat DB user based on its assigned DB relationship with thepartner-seeking buddy/MEM user. The link (e.g., a uniform resourcelocator (“URL”) or any other suitable mechanism) may be configured toguide a recipient to a page or information-providing section of the ODS(e.g., a specific portal of the ODS site or application) that may sharesome or all of the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user's profile informationwith a recipient of that link. The link may be used at any suitableclient device 100 by any suitable individual, such as an individual whomay not have a unique log-in or user-profile established with the ODS.The user profile information of the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user thatmay be provided by the link may be limited to only a portion of theentire user profile. The link may be for one-time use, limited number oftimes use, time limited, specific to the DB user-buddy/MEM user-CANDuser interaction for security and to address concern of exploitation,and/or can be regenerated by the DB user.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a client device 100 b may be used by aDB user interfacing with an ODS provided by ODS subsystem 10 and mayreceive such a link from ODS subsystem 10 at client device 100 b. Then,the DB user may share that link from client device 100 b to one or moreof the DB user's contacts (potential candidates) (e.g., through a singlelink or separate links per user interaction for security and exploitprevention), such as to a first DB user's contact that may be using aclient device 100 d (e.g., directly or via e-mail or any other suitablecommunications technique), and/or to a second DB user's contact that maybe using client device 100 e and to a third DB user's contact that maybe using client device 100 f (e.g., via a social network subsystem 20,such as Facebook). Alternatively or additionally, the DB user mayprovide certain contact information for one or more of the DB user'scontacts (e.g., e-mail address or social network account information) tothe ODS (e.g., to ODS subsystem 10) and the ODS may use that informationto send the link directly to those contacts on behalf of the DB user.Alternatively or additionally, the link may instead be a packet ofinformation indicative of at least a portion of the profile of thepartner-seeking buddy/MEM user that may be shared with one or morecontacts of the DB user, where this information may be reviewed by theDB user's contacts possibly without having to access the ODS (e.g.,directly in an e-mail or a printed brochure type packet). By enabling aDB user to share its assigned partner-seeking buddy/MEM user's profileinformation with contacts in the DB user's network, including contactsthat have had no prior interaction with the ODS, the ODS may leveragenot only the information collected about a buddy/MEM user and itspartner preferences but also the human touch and human instincts of theDB user to selectively choose particular contacts from that DB user'svast life network that the DB user may believe could be a good match forits assigned partner-seeking buddy/MEM user (e.g., based on thebuddy/MEM user's profile information and any additional information thatthe DB user may have gleaned from any additional information availableon the site, which may include an history of activity, and/or additionalinteraction the DB user may have had with its assigned partner-seekingbuddy/MEM user as potentially facilitated by the ODS).

In response to receiving such a link or other suitable invitation orshared source of profile information for a partner-seeking buddy/MEMuser, the recipient contact of the DB user may review suchpartner-seeking buddy/MEM user profile information to determine whetheror not he or she would be interested in connecting with thatpartner-seeking buddy/MEM user. For example, if the contact has nointerest in connecting with the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user, thecontact may simply not do anything further after receiving the linkand/or reviewing the profile information of the partner-seekingbuddy/MEM user. However, if the contact does have an interest inconnecting with the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user, the ODS mayfacilitate (e.g., via an option in the provided link) the ability of thecontact to create a CAND user profile (e.g., via pathway C) by fillingout certain information applicable to that contact (e.g., contact userresponses to one or more examples of the above personal information listand the partner preference list, but not the DB preference list and notthe user-as-DB list, or Buddy Preferences). For example, such a CANDuser profile may not include any DB preferences or rewards choices, as aCAND user may at least initially be limited to the role of interactingwith the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user assigned to the DB user thatselected the contact as a potential CAND user. In some embodiments, aCAND user profile may also include information with respect to how theCAND user knows or otherwise has a relationship with the DB user thatenabled the DB user to contact the CAND user for the potential matchwith the buddy/MEM user assigned to that DB user. In some embodiments,the CAND user may have access to a modified dashboard that may reflectthe CAND's interaction with the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user they havebeen introduced to. In some embodiments, the CAND user may not haveaccess to dashboards for BuddyBucks or CharityBucks because a CAND usermay not currently be performing a DB function. A CAND user may not haveaccess to a social community of the ODS. A CAND user's access to the ODSmay be limited to interaction with the buddy/MEM user for which the CANDuser was recruited by the DB user and/or to interaction with any and/allbuddy/MEM users that may be suggested to that CAND user by the DB userthat initially recruited that CAND user, and/or to any other suitablefeatures of the ODS. A CAND user may be limited by the ODS tointeraction with the buddy/MEM user it was recruited to review, unless,however, in some embodiments, a DB user recruits a CAND user for anotherbuddy/MEM user that the DB user is helping, or if a different DB userthat also knows this specific CAND user offers the CAND user to adifferent buddy/MEM user they are helping. The CAND user may alsoinclude a personal message for the buddy/MEM user while accepting thepotential match.

After a contact of the DB user has reviewed the profile information ofthe partner-seeking buddy/MEM user, expressed interest in connectingwith that buddy/MEM user, and has created a CAND user profile, the ODSmay provide information to that buddy/MEM user that the CAND user hasagreed to a potential connection. Alternatively or additionally, after acontact of a DB user has expressed interest in connecting with abuddy/MEM user, and has created a CAND user profile, but before the CANDuser profile that may be directly associated with and/or accessed bythat buddy/MEM user, the ODS may provide the DB user with the ability toreview the CAND user profile and determine whether or not the DB user'scontact has been sufficiently forthright with the information of theCAND user profile and/or whether the DB user believes that this CANDuser profile ought to be provided to the buddy/MEM user as a potentialmatch. That is, the ODS may provide the DB user with the ability tofilter the responses of its contacts before enabling the ODS to sharesuch CAND user profiles with the partner-seeking buddy/MEM user assignedto that DB user, thereby allowing the DB user to have an additionalgate-keeper responsibility with respect to the candidates that areoffered to the buddy/MEM user on behalf of the DB user. In any event,once a buddy/MEM user has been approved by a CAND user and possiblytheir profile approved by their associated DB, in some embodiments, oncea CAND user has been approved for the buddy/MEM user by the associatedDB user, the user profile of that CAND user may be presented to thebuddy/MEM user on a “New Matches” page, as shown by screen 900 of FIG.9.

As shown by screen 900 of FIG. 9, an ODS may indicate to the buddy/MEMuser that a new CAND user has been suggested as a new potential match tothat buddy/MEM user. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, screen 900 may bea match acceptance screen that may include similar profile informationto that shown in buddy/MEM user profile screen 400 of FIG. 4, but theinformation of screen 900 may include profile information with respectto the newly matched CAND user (e.g., information from the CAND user'sresponses to one or more examples of the above personal information listand/or partner preference list). Screen 900 may enable the buddy/MEMuser to either accept or decline this CAND user being suggested as a newmatch (e.g., through interaction with the checkmark (accept) or x-box(decline)). If a buddy/MEM user declines the suggested CAND user (e.g.,at screen 900), the ODS may identify another new CAND user match fromtheir matched DB (e.g., through a similar process that may or may nottake into consideration one or more buddy/MEM user-supplied reasons asto why the previously identified CAND user was declined by the buddy/MEMuser so as to generate a more effective buddy/MEM-CAND linking process),and the ODS may provide that new suggestion to the buddy/MEM user on anew screen 900. Data mining such information can be useful in many ways,such as by including some aspect of this information into an algorithm(e.g., a DB-buddy/MEM matching algorithm) to increase its effectiveness,or to use to analyze the entire process and integrate into a revisedstructure that may better serve to create a successful buddy/MEM user DBuser match, a more successful buddy/MEM user CAND match, and/or a moresuccessful ODS. If a buddy/MEM user accepts the suggested CAND user(e.g., at screen 900), the ODS may notify the CAND user and/or the DBuser of that acceptance (e.g., with a personal message that may bedefined by the buddy/MEM user), such that the ODS may facilitate apotential direct contact between the buddy/MEM user and the CAND user.Moreover, if a buddy/MEM user accepts the suggested CAND user (e.g., atscreen 900), the ODS may provide the buddy/MEM user with at least twolocations at which the buddy/MEM user's interactions with its matchesmay be monitored.

A first location for a MEM user to monitor its interactions with a newmatch may be on its main dashboard, such as a “Manage Your Matches andSet-Ups” page (e.g., as shown by screen 2500 of FIG. 25 and/or screen2600 of FIG. 26). At such a location, a MEM user may be enabled by theODS to monitor at least three different categories of information, suchas at three different tabs. The first category may be “My Datebuddies”,which may provide the MEM user with activity of the MEM user's one ormore DB's, which may include a list of each one of the MEM user's DBs,including past and present DBs, which may include their pictures and anyother suitable identifying information alongside which may be providedany new matches and/or some or all of the matches that that DB may haveprovided for that MEM user (e.g., all matches provided by that Datebuddymay be shown starting with the most recent, as may be shown by screen2500 of FIG. 25), and all Datebuddies for that MEM user may also beshown (e.g., starting with most recently assigned DB or the DB to mostrecently provide a new match), and/or any other suitable statisticsabout that DB and its success or interaction with the ODS (e.g., date ofintroduction, total accepted matches, total accrued rewards, etc., asshown by screen 2600 of FIG. 26). The second category of such a maindashboard for a MEM user may be “My Buddies” (see, e.g., screen 1700 ofFIG. 17), which may provide the MEM user with activity of the varioususers to which the MEM user may now or in the past be assigned as a DB.The third category of such a main dashboard for a MEM user may be“Candidates”, which may provide the MEM user with a list of some or allcontacts of the MEM user that have been introduced as a current or pastCAND to a Buddy (either BDM or BDE) when functioning as a DB (either DBMor DBE) (e.g., at least all contacts of the MEM user that are at leastCAND users of the ODS) (e.g., that this MEM user may have offered toother buddy users). In these examples exclusive user types such as BDEsand DBEs may also have access to these dashboards, but may have someaccess limitations relative to their respective roles. For example, aBDE, who may function solely in the buddy role, will therefore haveaccess to the DB tab, but not the buddy or candidate tabs.Alternatively, a DBE, solely acting as a datebuddy, may have access tothe buddy and candidate tabs, but not to the datebuddy tab.

Such a “Manage Your Matches and Set-Ups” page or “My Datebuddies Set-UpDashboard” of screen 2500 of FIG. 25, screen 2600 of FIG. 26, screen3100 of FIG. 31, screen 3200 of FIG. 32, screen 3300 of FIG. 33, screen3400 of FIG. 34, and/or screen 3500 of FIG. 35 may allow the member tomanage their Set Up functions including both sides of the process. Notethat the classic member may participate in both sides of the matchmakerprocess. They may be assigned a matchmaker, or Datebuddy, who mayattempt to set them up with one of the Datebuddy's friends. They mayalso be assigned a second member, called a Buddy, to be a matchmakerfor. When they choose the “My Datebuddy” tab, the ODS may provide withtheir current matchmaker, or Datebuddy, that has been assigned to themby the Datebuddy algorithm. All Datebuddies may be shown, with the mostrecent first. Under the photograph of each Datebuddy may be basicinformation, and the gear icon may launch similar functionality to thatmentioned above. There may be links not shown for Profile and Invite.The information within the panel adjacent to the Datebuddy photographmay be chosen by a drop down menu, which may include “Matches” (shown),Stats, History, messages and notes. “Matches” may show all the Matchesintroduced by that Datebuddy, with the most recent listed first. Thepanel showing the Matches may show their photograph with basicidentification information below, and historic information adjoining thephotograph and links (not shown) that may include “Invite” and“Profile,” and “Detailed View” to launch the “Matches” page focused ontheir particular entry. Stats may show the Datebuddy's metrics. Historymay show the history between the Datebuddy shown and the member, such asmilestones regarding any Matches presented to the member. Notes mayrefer to comments the member wants to save for reference.

A second location for a MEM user to monitor its interactions with a newmatch may be on another dashboard, such as a “Your Matches” page (e.g.,as shown by screen 1000 of FIG. 10). At such a location, a MEM user maybe enabled by the ODS to monitor at least four different categories ofinformation, such as at four different tabs. The first category may be“New Matches”, which may provide the MEM user with a listing of newmatches that may have been found by one DB or multiple different DBs.The second category may be “Reminders” that may remind about events ordates the MEM user has been invited to or created. The third categorymay be “Existing Relationships” that may list all CAND users that havebeen offered and accepted to the MEM user and not dismissed or set asdormant. The fourth category may be “Past Matches” that may list allCAND users that have been offered and have been dismissed by eitherparty or set as dormant With respect to the first category that may beshown by the “New Matches” tab of FIG. 10, the ODS may enable the MEMuser to view through new matches in a dedicated fashion. A pictureand/or other identifying information may be shown for such CAND users,which may include a personalized message from the CAND user, anindication of the DB user that offered this CAND user for the MEM user,a selection for a user to “View Profile” of the CAND user, “Invite” theCAND user, and “Dash”. Invite may allow for the creation of any type ofinvitation, including a date or meeting, and all of the event typeslisted below (see, e.g., the event types listed in the descriptionherein with respect to a calendar). Dash may refer to a main Dashboardwhich includes the “Manage set ups” section. The above dashboard accessmay also be accessible to an exclusive BDE.

Such a “Your Matches” page or Matches Dashboard page may present thepotential partners that the member's Datebuddy has offered to introduceto them from their network of friends/contacts. The member's Datebuddysearches through their network of friends/contacts and chooses whichones may be a good fit for the member (Buddy) they are matchmaking for,then reach out to those friends/contacts to see if they would beinterested in meeting the Buddy they are matchmaking for. Thesefriends/contacts of the Datebuddy may be called Candidates, and if theyare interested in meeting the member (Buddy) that the Datebuddy ismatchmaking for, they may create a profile and may be introduced to themember (Buddy) using such a Matches page. After being notified of a “NewMatch” in the Notification Page of the member (Buddy), when the member(Buddy) clicks on the notification it may launch such a MatchesDashboard Page, which may show all Matches with the most recent first.When first introduced there may be a check and an X next to the photo ofthe Match that may allow the member (Buddy) to either accept or rejectthis “New Match.” Accepting this Match means they may be allowed tocontact each other and continue their introduction beyond just a reviewof each other's profiles. The contact functions present on the page,such as chat and messaging, may not be made available by the ODS untilthe “New Match” is accepted by the member (Buddy). The panel displayinginformation regarding this “New Match” may include a link to theirprofile and to “Invite,” which may allow the member (Buddy) to create aninvitation of any kind, including a date or first meeting, throughDatebuddy's event creation process. The gear adjacent the photograph mayallow for a number of functions to be launched that are specific to thatMatch, including chat, messaging, invitation, gifting (which can includeBuddyBucks, CharityBucks or store items), notes (comments), dismissaland complaint. The panel itself may default to the most recent messageshared between the two, but a drop down not shown above the panel mayallow for choices including messages, history, and notes. The photographand identity of the Datebuddy who offered the Match may also be shown.This Matches Page may include additional tabs. The first may represent“New Matches,” the second may represent “Existing Relationships” or“Matches” that have already been accepted and are ongoing relationshipsat some level, and the third may represent “Past Matches” which are nolonger active and have been dismissed. Dismissed Matches may desire tocontinue to be friends at some level, and upon dismissal may be asked bythe ODS if they desire to allow the ODS to enable continued contactbetween each other through the many communication pathways, and on theCommunity Page as well as part of their circle.

As may be true at many other pages or GUIs of the ODS, a gear may beprovided next to identifying information for a match on a “Your Matches”screen (e.g., screen 1000 of FIG. 10), which may trigger a drop downmenu with a number of potential functions (e.g., as shown by screen 1100of FIG. 11 and/or screen 3000 of FIG. 30), which may include one or moreof the following:

-   -   1) See profile—links to the profile page of the picture    -   2) Chat—opens a chat area to chat directly with user depicted by        picture    -   3) Send message—sends message to user depicted by picture    -   4) Invite—invites user depicted by picture to an event,        including a meeting or a date, or any other calendar event as        per event section.    -   5) Gift—sends a gift either of barter trade such as BB or CB, or        service or product from eStore of site to the user represented        by picture    -   6) History—lists history of events and contacts with user        represented by picture    -   7) Notes—lists any comments made by user in Notes section of        user represented by picture    -   8) Dismiss—action to dismiss user depicted by picture from        active status for a given role or for entire access on this        user's account    -   9) Complaint—action to file a complaint about the user depicted        by the picture    -   10) Setup—may only be available on pages where the user's        current role has the option to set up the user depicted by the        picture, such as a DB user who is looking at their dashboard at        a CAND user they have offered to a MEM user in the past, and        currently has a different MEM user that the DB user believes may        be a good prospect for this same CAND user.

As mentioned, at least one option may be provided by the ODS (e.g., at a“Your Matches” screen of FIG. 10 and/or FIG. 11) to a buddy/MEM userthat may facilitate the buddy/MEM user to interact with a matching CANDuser, including, but not limited to, chatting with its matching CANDuser (e.g., via a chat messaging interface), sending an invitation tothe matching CAND user for any various types of more formalcommunication (e.g., an invitation for a telephone conversation or apersonal in-person meeting to further discuss a potential relationshipbetween the buddy/MEM user and the CAND user) or an invitation to a dateor meeting, or any calendar event seen below, facilitating a messagingplatform between the buddy/MEM and CAND users (e.g., via a messagingsystem integrated into the ODS), the ability for the buddy/MEM user toreview the history of the CAND user on the ODS that may be specific withthat buddy/MEM user (e.g., to see past connections of the CAND user withthat buddy/MEM user or the CAND user's relationship to a particular DB),to send a gift to the matching CAND user (e.g., using rewards of theODS), dismiss the matching CAND user as a match if previously accepted,send a complaint to the ODS about the matching CAND user, and the like.

The ODS may enable certain users to maintain an ongoing social contactwith those users that the user may have met through the ODS on acommunity page. For example, as shown by screen 1300 of FIG. 13 and/orby screen 1400 of FIG. 14, an ODS may provide any suitable informationto a MEM user on a community page that may include posts or informationof any suitable type from all such users, including previous and/orcurrent Datebuddies of the buddy/MEM user, other buddy/MEM users forwhich the MEM user is currently or was previously a DB, that were atleast once a match for the MEM user. On such a community page, the ODSmay enable a user (e.g., any buddy/MEM user and/or any DB user) tofollow posts by its network of contacts/users on the ODS. Access to sucha community page may be limited to certain user types, such as buddies(BDMs and BDEs) and datebuddies (DBMs and DBEs). In addition, thecontent of posters in general or of a given poster or type of postervisibility to a given user who has access may be limited and filtered.This filtering may be based geographically, and/or by community type,and/or by level of participation with site, and/or by relativerelationship of roles between user and poster and/or by the nature ofinteraction between user and poster and/or level of engagement of theuser to the poster. Candidates may not be allowed access to such acommunity page.

A primary function of a community page of FIGS. 13 and 14 may be thecenter column, which may show a social network wall. The posters visibleto a member may be the collection of members the individual has beenconnected to, or has requested to be connected to, from the Datebuddyprocess or the broader social network it is a component of (i.e.,BuddyNation). The visible members may include all Datebuddies andBuddies a user has been assigned, all Candidates that are members, allMatches that the user has been introduced to, and any real life friendsthe user may have invited into the community. For any of these possiblemembers to be included in a user's circle on the ODS, both parties mustcontinue to allow such inclusion for it to remain visible. ThisCommunity fosters friendship beyond the dating component to theDatebuddy process, and integrates the event calendar to further supportthat goal. Another important function of the Community Page may be thatit may function as the gateway portal introducing the Datebuddy membersto the broader social network, Buddynation. Included in this page may bethe interests defined by the individual member in their profile. All ofthese iconic representations may be clicked on and/or act as links tothe Communities within BuddyNation that may center around the giveninterest, and whose content may include the BuddyNation Engine processand circle creation discussed herein.

As shown in FIG. 13, advertisements to items of the ODS's eStore may beprovided and linked to the eStore (e.g., where ODS rewards may beredeemed by ODS users), where such ads may be for items with somecontextual relationship to information in the community data feed/posts(e.g., eStore vendors may be incentivized to participate due to thehighly targeted demographic that may be represented by the members of auser's community). A chat section may also be provided on a communitypage of the ODS, as shown by FIGS. 13 and 14, where chats may befiltered by most recent chats first, filtered at multiple levels,including friends from all various user communities of the ODS, friendsfrom this community, or local or global members, and the like (filtersmay exist for any level of geographical segmentation or scope, communitytype and group type). As shown in FIG. 14, a calendar may be provided bythe ODS on various pages of the ODS that may include flags or otherinformation that may include the creation of or the invitation for itemsthat may denote various event types, that may either be created by theuser or to which the user is invited, including, but not limited to, thefollowing:

1) Individual:

-   -   A) Date/meeting between MEM users    -   B) Date/meeting between buddy/MEM user and a new match CAND user    -   C) Meeting between buddy/MEM user and its assigned past or        present DB user    -   D) Meeting between student and coach/mentor (described below)    -   E) Meeting between two students or two coaches/mentors        (described below)    -   F) Meeting between two user-as-DBs (any permutation of DBM and        DBEs)    -   G) Meeting between two user-as-BDs (any permutation of BDM and        BDEs)    -   H) Meeting between DB user (DBM or DBE) and its assigned past or        present buddy user (BDM or BDM)

2) Group:

-   -   A) Social (described below)        -   I) Members        -   II) Datebuddies        -   III) Datebuddy groups        -   IV) Mentors/coaches        -   V) Students        -   VI) Mentors and students        -   VII) Friends group        -   VIII) Community        -   IX) Communities    -   B) Informative/educational:        -   I) Members        -   II) Datebuddies        -   III) Datebuddy groups        -   IV) Mentors        -   V) Students        -   VI) Mentors and students        -   VII) Friends group        -   VIII) Community        -   IX) Communities    -   C) Charitable/benevolent:        -   I) Members        -   II) Datebuddies        -   III) Datebuddy groups        -   IV) Mentors        -   V) Students        -   VI) Mentors and students        -   VII) Friends group        -   VIII) Community        -   IX) Communities

As mentioned, while a buddy/MEM user may be receiving help from anotheruser acting as a matchmaking DB (e.g., from a DBM or a DBE) for thatbuddy/MEM user (e.g., via pathway A), that same buddy/MEM user (if theyare a MEM user) may also be offered as a matchmaking DB (i.e., a DBM)for another buddy/MEM user (e.g., via pathway B). A subset of the MEMuser's profile information (e.g., information from the MEM user'sresponses to one or more examples of the above personal informationlist, partner preference list, DB preference list, and/or user-as-DBlist) may be leveraged by a buddy/MEM-DB linking algorithm, as describedabove, such that the ODS may identify one or more other buddy/MEM usersto assign as potential “Buddies” that may be aided by the MEM user as amatchmaking DB (i.e., as a DBM user). As shown by screen 1600 of FIG.16, an ODS may provide a “Buddy Profile Acceptance Screen”, which mayindicate to the MEM user acting as a DB (hereinafter DBM) that abuddy/MEM user has been suggested as a new buddy for which that DBM mayact as a matchmaker DB.

The ODS may first enable the DBM to review the buddy/MEM user's profile(e.g., information from the buddy/MEM user's above personal informationlist, partner preference list, and/or DB preference list) to determinewhether or not the DBM accepts the ODS's suggestion that the DBM be adatebuddy for that buddy/MEM user (see, e.g., screen 1500 of FIG. 15).Screen 1500 may enable the DBM user to review the profile of thatbuddy/MEM user and may enable the DBM user to either accept or declinethat buddy/MEM user as its new buddy. For example, as shown in FIG. 15,screen 1500 may include similar profile information to that shown in MEMuser profile screen 400 of FIG. 4, but the information of screen 1500may include profile information with respect to the suggested buddy/MEMuser for the DBM user (e.g., information from the MEM user's responsesto one or more examples of the above personal information list, partnerpreference list, and DB preference list). Screen 1500 may enable the DBMuser to either accept or decline this buddy/MEM user being suggested bythe ODS (e.g., through interaction with the checkmark (accept) or x-box(decline)). If a DBM user declines the suggested buddy/MEM user (e.g.,at screen 1500), the ODS may identify a new suggestion for a MEM user tobe a buddy for that DBM (e.g., by identifying another result of theabove-described buddy/MEM-DB linking algorithm and/or by re-running theabove-described buddy/MEM-DB linking algorithm while potentially takinginto consideration one or more DBM user-supplied reasons as to why thepreviously identified and suggested buddy/MEM user was declined by theDBM user so as to generate a more effective buddy/MEM-DB linkingalgorithm), and the ODS may provide that new suggestion to the DBM useron a new screen 1600.

If a DBM user accepts the suggested buddy/MEM user (e.g., at screen1500), the ODS may notify the buddy/MEM user of that acceptance suchthat the MEM user may accept or decline the DBM user (e.g., as describedabove with respect to FIG. 7). The MEM user acting as Buddy (BDM) or theexclusive BDE may review the profile information of the DBM, which mayinclude personal information list, partner preferences and user as DB orBuddy preferences, as well as any other information made available thatmay assist Buddy in assessing for the fit of the potential DB. Then,if/when the buddy/MEM user accepts/declines the DBM user, the ODS mayprovide a “Your Buddy” screen (e.g., screen 1600 of FIG. 16) and enablethe DBM user to view the buddy/MEM user's profile and encourage and/orfacilitate and/or require forms of interaction between the DBM user andthe buddy/MEM user (e.g., as described above with respect to the DB userof FIGS. 7-9). The ODS may enable the DBM to send a link (e.g., withfree access) to the ODS for that buddy/MEM user's profile to anysuitable contact of the DBM. After the contact (e.g., a friend of theDBM user) reviews the link with access to the profile of the DBM's newbuddy (e.g., buddy/MEM user), if the contact decides to connect withthat buddy, the contact may be enabled by the ODS to make a profile(e.g., for free as a CAND user profile) and may be introduced by the ODSto the buddy/MEM user. If the Buddy accepts such an introduction, theODS may enable continued interaction between the DBM's buddy and theDBM's contact.

After any suitable interaction, which may be at set any level ofengagement, and which may be adjusted over time, between a buddy/MEMuser (e.g., MEM user or a BDE) and a DB's contact (e.g., CAND user), theresponsible DB associated with both users may be awarded by the ODS(e.g., by any suitable denomination of BuddyBucks and/or any suitabledenomination of CharityBucks). The ODS may enable a DB to monitor theprogress of any one its buddy/MEM-CAND (e.g., buddy-contact) userinteractions on a main dashboard of the DB (e.g., as shown by one ormore of screens 1700-2400 of FIGS. 17-24). Under the Buddies tab, theODS may provide a DB with a list of all the buddies he or she may behelping and/or have helped (e.g., most recent first). Under a picture orother identifying information for a buddy/MEM user may be informationincluding history of activity and/or any information regarding anycandidates that the DB may provide or may have provided to the buddy(e.g., the buddy/MEM user's new matches, such as newest first, as shownby screen 2100 of FIG. 21, and/or the DateBuddy's candidates, as shownby screen 2900 of FIG. 29). For example, as shown by FIG. 17, the ODSmay not provide personal or intimate details of a buddy/MEM-CANDinteraction to the associated DB, but the ODS may enable the DB toidentify whether that buddy/MEM-CAND match is still active as opposed todismissed, and/or whether the buddy/MEM-CAND matched users everphysically met or achieved any other suitable achievement and/or levelof engagement that may trigger one or more suitable rewards beingawarded to the DB. As shown, a main dashboard of a DB may also enable aDB to monitor various contacts/CAND users (e.g., via a “Candidates”tab), which may enable a DB to see a list of any/all CAND users that theDB user may have introduced to the site (e.g., may be newest first oractivity first) and/or any buddies/MEM users that you may have attemptedto connect them with. The ODS may enable a user (e.g., a DB user) totrack its statistics for accrual of rewards (e.g., BuddyBucks,CharityBucks, etc.) and setup stats and rankings from a separatedashboard. BuddyBucks may represent a coupon system that can be appliedto any of the stores and/or vendors within the ODS network. BuddyBucksmay represent a specified amount of discount on a given product orservice, which, on a per item basis, may have defined usage and/or otherlimitations that may be explicitly specified. CharityBucks may be aspecified amount of money donated by the ODS on any suitable basis(e.g., monthly or quarterly) to one or more charities or otherorganizations that may be denoted by a member and on that member'sbehalf for their participation. The amount of CharityBucks may bedetermined by the financials of the ODS, and may be adjusted from timeto time depending on financial conditions. The amount of CharityBucksmay be specified in advance for any CharityBucks awarded. Any change mayapply to CharityBucks not yet awarded.

Such a “My Buddies Set Up Dashboard” page of screen 1700 of FIG. 17,screen 1800 of FIG. 18, screen 1900 of FIG. 19, screen 2000 of FIG. 20,screen 2100 of FIG. 21, screen 2200 of FIG. 22, screen 2300 of FIG. 23,and/or screen 2400 of FIG. 24, instead of showcasing the Datebuddiesthat are acting as the member's matchmaker, may showcase the membersthat this member is trying to help by trying to set them up with one oftheir friends/contacts. The member being helped, or set up, may becalled a “Buddy,” and all the Buddies this member is helping may belisted or otherwise presented here by the ODS, with the most recentfirst. To clarify for purpose of reference, the member who is looking atthis dashboard may be acting as the “Datebuddy,” or matchmaker, for the“Buddies” in their “Buddy” section. When this member reviews all oftheir friends and contacts to offer possible matches for their Buddies,these friends/contacts may be referred to herein as “Candidates” untilthey review the Buddy being helped and decide they are interested inmeeting them, then they may be introduced to the “Buddy” as a “NewMatch,” and if accepted, the Candidate may be a “Match” from the“Buddies” perspective. The panel showing the Buddies the member ishelping (as their matchmaker) may include their photograph and basicinformation below, a gear icon with functionality described herein,links for “Set Up” and Profile, and a drop down to choose the contentsin the panel including “Candidates,” messages, notes, history, andstats. The “Candidates” choice may show all the Candidates that havebeen offered as potential “Matches” for the given “Buddy,” with the mostrecent shown first. The “Candidate” panel may include their photograph,basic information, and gear icon described herein, links for “Set Up”and Profile, and “Detailed View” which may launch their Dashboard viewunder the “Candidates” tab. The drop menu may include the samecomponents as described elsewhere herein. When the member looks at their“My Datebuddies” tab, they may be looking at information about thematchmaker and matches offered to them in the hopes of romance for them.When the member looks at their “My Buddies” tab, they may be looking atinformation about helping another member by acting as their matchmaker,and offer their friends/contacts (“Candidates”) to become “New Matches”for the “Buddies” they are trying to help.

As mentioned, a contact that may be known by a DB by any suitable meansand/or through any suitable network may be contacted by the DB, eitherdirectly or via the ODS, such that the contact may be offered a link orany other suitable data that may be at least partially generated by theODS, which may enable the contact access (e.g., free access) to certaininformation of the ODS (e.g., user profile data of buddy/MEM userassociated with the DB—the specific buddy profile that the contact'sfriend is helping as a matchmaker DB). The contact can review at least aportion of the buddy's entire profile and, if the contact is interestedin reaching out or otherwise connecting with that buddy/MEM user, canthen create a profile (e.g., a CAND profile, such as for free) with theODS (e.g., via pathway C, to provide additional information as userresponses to one or more examples of the above personal information listand/or partner preference list) so as to be introduced to that buddy/MEMuser. After such a CAND user profile has been created for that contact,at least a portion of that CAND user profile may be offered to the buddyuser for a new match acceptance (e.g., via the DB user). If the newmatch is not accepted, the ODS may politely communicate to the contactCAND user that it has been turned down by the buddy/MEM user, thank thecontact CAND user for its participation, and offer the contact CAND userthe ability to join the ODS as a full MEM user (e.g., at a discountedinitial charge or upgrade to a greater or different level ofparticipation). This dismissal procedure may also occur if the CAND isdismissed at any point further into the process. If a contact CANDmember chooses to accept such an offer by the ODS, the contact CAND usermay be directed by the ODS to a MEM user profile creation process (e.g.,via pathway A) to complete the remainder of the user profile process(e.g., to provide additional information as user responses to one ormore examples of the above DB preference list and/or user-as-DB list).However, if the buddy/MEM user accepts the contact CAND user's new matchoffer, the ODS may enable the buddy/MEM user and the contact CAND userto interact and the ODS can monitor their interactions on modifieddashboards specific to each of their relative perspectives which maydisplay the individual interaction between the buddy and the candidate.In some embodiments, as a non-member, the contact CAND user may not befunctioning as a datebuddy and, therefore, may not have an opportunityto receive any BuddyBucks or CharityBucks, and, thus, may have no needfor the associated rewards dashboards. Also, as a non-member, such acontact CAND user may not have access to a community site of the ODS.

As mentioned, the ODS may enable certain individuals that would like tointeract with the ODS as a matchmaking datebuddy so as to introducetheir friends to buddy/MEM users and receive rewards for successfulintroductions, but that do not currently have interest in meeting apartner or being provided with potential matches. Such individuals mayinteract with the ODS as DBE users (e.g., via pathway D, which may besimilar to pathway B). A DBE user may be enabled by the ODS to fill outa modified user profile that may be limited to what information may benecessary to support a DB-buddy/MEM linking algorithm of the ODS, and/orto information that may be appropriate for a buddy/MEM user to review inorder to decide if they are comfortable with the DBE acting as adatebuddy for them (e.g., information from the DB user's responses toone or more examples of the above user-as-DB (or Buddy) Preferences listand personal information list). A DBE may be enabled by the ODS tomonitor the DBE's interactions with its buddies/MEM users that the DBEis assigned to help (e.g., from a main dashboard under a buddies tab,which may be similar to the buddies tab of FIGS. 17-24), such that thebuddies the DBE has acted as a datebuddy for may be listed (e.g., mostrecent first). Each buddy may be identified by a picture and/or anyother suitable information and/or along with any suitable activityhistory and/or a list of any candidates (e.g., DBE's friends) that theDBE may have offered to the buddy (e.g., most recent first). Another tabthat may be active for a DBE is a candidates tab (e.g., which may besimilar to the candidates tab of FIGS. 17-24), which may include a listof all candidates (e.g., DBE's friends) that have been offered to any ofthe DBE's buddies (e.g., most recently first). As a DBE may not belooking for a partner, a datebuddy tab of such a dashboard may beinactive (e.g., as they are not being assigned a datebuddy). Since a DBEmay be performing the datebuddy function for other members (e.g.,buddies/MEM users), a DBE may be rewarded whenever a meeting or otherachievement threshold and/or level of engagement may be met between abuddy/MEM-CAND connection caused by that DBE (e.g., with BuddyBucksand/or with CharityBucks), which may be just like a regular member whoperforms the datebuddy function (e.g., a DBM), and therefore may haveaccess to the dashboards that may track rewards, BuddyBucks,CharityBucks, stats regarding setups history, as well as access to anystore and/or community pages of the ODS. As mentioned, the ODS mayenable certain individuals that would like to interact with the ODS as apartner-seeking buddy to be provided with a DB user who may introducetheir friends as candidates for potential matches, and possibly receiverewards for achievements and/or specific levels of engagement, but thatdo not currently have interest in participating in the DB role (as a DBfor another user). Such individuals may interact with the ODS as BDEusers (e.g., via pathway A. A BDE user may be enabled by the ODS to fillout a modified user profile that may be limited to what information maybe necessary to support a DB-buddy/MEM linking algorithm of the ODS,and/or to information that may be appropriate for a DB user to review inorder to decide if they are comfortable acting as a DB for that BDE(e.g., information from the BDE user's responses to one or more examplesof the above DB Preferences list, personal information list and partnerpreferences list). A BDE may be enabled by the ODS to monitor the BDE'sinteractions with its DB users that the BDE is assigned to (e.g., from amain dashboard under a Datebuddies tab, which may be similar to thebuddies tab of FIGS. 17-24), such that the datebuddies the BDE hasand/or are being helped by may be listed (e.g., most recent first). EachDatebuddy may be identified by a picture and/or any other suitableinformation and/or along with any suitable activity history and/or alist of any candidates (e.g., DB's friends) that the DB may have offeredto the BDE (e.g., most recent first). As a BDE may not be acting as aDatebuddy for any user, a buddy tab of such a dashboard may be inactive(e.g., as they are not being assigned a buddy). In some embodiments, aBDE may be rewarded whenever a meeting or other achievement thresholdand/or level of engagement may be met between a buddy/MEM-CANDconnection (e.g., with BuddyBucks and/or with CharityBucks), andtherefore may have access to the dashboards that may track rewards,BuddyBucks, CharityBucks and/or have access to stats regarding setupshistory, as well as access to any store and/or community pages of theODS.

Various reward types may be rewarded at different times to different ODSusers based on different achievements being met. For example, a DB maybe rewarded each time a certain type of connection is made by abuddy/MEM-CAND match facilitated by that DB. For example, a first rewardof a first type and first value may be awarded to a DB when such acontact of the DB (e.g., friend of the DB) creates a new CAND accountwith the ODS (e.g., in response to receiving a link from the DB forviewing the profile of a buddy/MEM user). Additionally or alternatively,a second reward of a second type and second value may be awarded to a DBwhen a DB-facilitated buddy/MEM-CAND match is first made via the ODS(e.g., when the CAND user approves a buddy/MEM user for a connection andthat buddy/MEM user approves of that CAND user for a connection).Additionally or alternatively, a third reward of a third type and thirdvalue may be awarded to a DB when the buddy/MEM user and the CAND userof a DB-facilitated buddy/MEM-CAND match first meets in person (e.g., aphysical, in-the-flesh meeting occurs, which may be detected/ensured inany suitable way by the ODS, such as by honor system of self-reportingor by the ODS matching location-data (e.g., GPS data) simultaneouslyreceived by the ODS from a first client device 100 that may beassociated by the ODS with the buddy/MEM user and from a second clientdevice 100 that may be associated by the ODS with the CAND user). Eachsuccessive interaction by the buddy/MEM-CAND users may result in anadditional reward for the responsible DB. Location-based data for one ormore users may be facilitated by the ODS (e.g., at each user's approval)for various other purposes, such as detecting a user at a socialcalendar event and/or a charity calendar event and/or aninformative/educational event at an appropriate time. Any userparticipating in a community event, whose types may include social,charitable/benevolent and/or informative/educational, may result in areward for that user. When two DB's meet, one or both DBs may berewarded for such a meeting, which may be used to share contact networksor share tips on matchmaking. When two DB's meet for a firstmeeting/date, the user responsible for setting them up may be rewarded(e.g., if that user is an ODS member capable of receiving rewards withinthe process).

In some embodiments, a buddy/MEM user may request that the ODS providethe buddy/MEM user with more than one DB at a time (e.g., for anadditional fee). Alternatively or additionally, a DB user may requestthat the ODS provide the DB user with more than one buddy/MEM user at atime (e.g., for increasing the ability of that DB user to receiverewards for facilitating successful buddy/MEM-CAND connections, andthereby increasing the success of the ODS).

In some embodiments, the ODS may enable a group of two or moreindividuals or users to create and/or user a single DB user entity or DBgroup. Additional examples of this grouping process may include anorganization or organized (e.g., formal or informal) group, which can beenabled by the ODS to create a single DB Group that may pool multipleindividuals' DB skills together for a single cause. A DB Group may beranked separately from an individual DB user, may have their owncommunity sub-type, and/or may have separate events and a differentreward structure. A DB Group may include a leadership role and/or otherorganizational/administrative components to provide appropriatemanagement to such an entity. The concept of grouping may extend beyondthe DB construct, to a broader social network construct (e.g., such asthe BN discussed elsewhere in this document), which may apply to otherrole types in this broader network, including a student role (e.g.,student groups), coaching/mentoring role (e.g., coachinggroups/mentoring groups), and/or buddy roles (e.g., buddy groups), whereeach may be inter- and/or intra-community based, as described below.

In some embodiments, the ODS may enable a unique or specializedindividual or user or entity, such as a famous person or person ofinterest or organization, to interact with the ODS as a single or groupDB. Such a DB may serve as a significant charitable or marketing driverand increase the exposure and success of the ODS. As a charitableenterprise, the ODS, with and/or beyond the CharityBuck construct, mayarrange a reward to a charity based on some part of the process of theODS, including, but not limited to, the following:

-   -   1. Person of interest participating in process, either as DB        (single or group) or member    -   2. Organization (formal or informal) participating in process,        either as DB (single or group) or member    -   3. Person of interest or organization (formal or informal)        participating in auction process    -   4. Person of interest or organization (formal or informal)        participating in calendar event, either social or        charitable/benevolent or mentorship

In some embodiments, the ODS may enable or otherwise facilitateauctioning/bidding for certain features of the ODS. For example, the ODSmay enable the auctioning of a DB function based on rankings, theauctioning of a DB function based on profile, the auctioning of a DBfunction including single or group subtype, and/or a bid structure thatmay be based on money or other form of barter (e.g., BuddyBucks), offerof charitable/benevolent assistance, or mentorship via other networksites. The desirability of a DB function may be based on multiplefactors, including, but not limited to, their profile characteristics,the metrics relating to their DB performance including the number of DBuser-buddy/MEM user interactions, the duration or average duration ofsuch interactions, the number of CANDs offered, the number of buddy/MEMuser-CAND user introductions, the number of buddy/MEM user-CAND usermeetings/first dates or any other level of engagement, and/or the fameor prestige or association of their identity in the case of a uniqueindividual or group. These and other factors may afford a level ofincentive that could result in an auction page/site where thesedifferent parameters may be tracked, and/or bidding may be done bybuddy/MEM users and/or CAND users via many possible forms of barter,including BBs, CBs, money or a form of charitable/benevolent orcoaching/mentoring act.

In some embodiments, the ODS may support and/or enable any suitablereward structure with any suitable reward types of any suitable valuefor any suitable item, service, or feature. For example, a BuddyBuck maybe a discount that may have a specific monetary value to be appliedwithin an eStore or to any suitable vendor associated with the ODS, ormay be redeemed for any acceptable form and amount of barter as definedby the ODS, which may include an offer of charitable/benevolentassistance or mentorship via other network sites. A CharityBuck may be acharitable donation from the ODS to a charity designated by an ODS useror other suitable situation that may be of a specific amount that can betracked from a dashboard by the user and/or by any other mechanism ofthe ODS. The exact monetary value may be adjusted based on financialviability. A Barter Structure may be enabled by the ODS that maydesignate some form of barter, such as an offer of charitable/benevolentassistance or mentorship via any site in of the ODS. The ODS may beconfigured to vary, at any specified time or within any specified timeframe, for any given behavior of any given user or factor, an amount ofa reward, what is rewarded, and/or what type of reward may be assignedto any suitable user. The ODS may be configured to select at random(e.g., from time to time) any type of reward structure to be assigned ina random fashion in association with some variable, such as a particularweek in which the ODS may reward a specific behavior of a specific usertype with a specific type of reward when the ODS otherwise may not havedone so under usual circumstances. An example may be “This week only,any first meeting between a buddy/MEM user and a CAND user results indouble the usual rewards for the DB,” or possibly “This week only,buddy/MEM users get rewards for first meetings with a CAND user,” and/orto reward a behavior already assigned a known reward to receive a largeror multiple reward for a specific time frame. Any suitable behavior ofany suitable user may be tracked by the ODS and may be used to assign areward of any type. Although DB and MEN/STUD functions and interactions(and participation in benevolent/charitable acts) may be best suited forrewards, any other users or interactions of the ODS may be rewarded inany suitable manner (e.g., to aid in incentivizing participation in siteor a benevolent act/event). Such a reward structure may be linked tomany different pathways, including level of engagement with CAND users,participation in any calendar event including social, informative orbenevolent/charitable and levels of engagement for BN/MEM users forlevel of engagement as well, and the like.

In some embodiments, the ODS may support, enable, and/or facilitate aneStore (see, e.g., screens 2700 and 2800 of FIGS. 27 and 28) or anyother suitable relationship with any suitable vendor of any suitableitem, service, and/or feature. Although such an eStore may have theunique nature of utilizing a discount driven by performance of a userwith respect to any suitable service of the ODS, the store itself mayuse “BuddyBucks” or any other suitable reward of the ODS as a discountand function otherwise much like a normal store. The ODS may track theperformance and, thus, any discount available, in real-time, and mayhave a predetermined cap on an amount of discount available for anygiven purchase (e.g., depending on cost of item, margins, user, etc.).

In some embodiments, the ODS may support, enable, and/or facilitate thetracking of any suitable metrics that may be kept for anyparticipatory/interactive behavior of any suitable user for any suitablereason, including, but not limited to:

A) DB—Contact accepted between MEM (Buddy role—either BDM or BDE) andCAND due to that DB.

-   -   B) DB—First meeting/date of MEM (Buddy role—either BDM or BDE)        and CAND due to that DB.    -   C) DB—relationship achieved between MEM (Buddy role—either BDM        or BDE) and CAND due to that DB. An input section (not shown)        may allow a MEM (Buddy role—either BDM or BDE) user to        acknowledge a level of engagement in a relationship, or other        aspects relating to both quantitative and qualitative aspects of        an evolving relationship, which may include ranking responses        and checkboxes. These metrics may affect the visual display on        the dashboard depicting that specific relationship, may be used        to improve an ODS algorithm, may be used for variable reward        structures, may be used for a ranking of a DB introducing the        two users, and the like. Level of engagement can also be tied to        an eStore via special marketing that may be specific to a        certain level of engagement achieved.    -   D) Any user—Participation in calendar event:        -   1. Social Event        -   2. Charitable/Benevolent Event        -   3. Informational/Educational Event    -   E) Buddy encounters, which may also refer to users of BN, a        broader social network extrapolation of the datebuddy construct        of the ODS. As described below, using GolfBuddy as an example,        if a user desires to find a local player with similar        characteristics to play with, any level of engagement of these        two members matched by an algorithm may be tracked for many        purposes, which may include to better construct the algorithm so        that it is more effective, to provide a reward structure that        may aid in cultivating friendship by rewarding socialization,        the tracking of participation in shared benevolent acts driven        by calendar, on the premise that shared participation may        incentivize participation, which may incentivize benevolent        behavior in addition to friendship cultivation. Also, the        tracking of shared participation may be tracked via        location-based services technology. Mentor and student contact        may refer to tracking the meetings or any level of engagement of        STUD and MEN users that have been matched by an algorithm of the        system, which may be used for improving the algorithm,        triggering a reward structure as mentioned earlier in this        document, or may be used by the user, the administrator, or        other users.        -   1. First contact with new group/circle member        -   2. Mentor contact        -   3. Student contact    -   F) Create group/calendar event (e.g., attended by at least one        user attendee):        -   1. Social Event        -   2. Charitable/Benevolent Event        -   3. Informational/Educational Event

In some embodiments, the ODS may support, enable, and/or facilitatecompetition. For example, the ODS may generated and/or provide rankingsbased on metrics for a given behavior of a given user while interactingwith the ODS that may be used to assign additional rewards and/or may beused for algorithm inclusion to improve efficacy of match compatibilityand/or inclusion into the profiles that may be visible to one or moreuser roles to aid in their assessing the compatibility fit of theirprospective DB, Buddy or CAND roles and/or for marketing purposes and/orfor auctioning purposes in bid/auction scenarios. For example, suchrankings may be tracked publicly on the ODS, may be visible only to theuser(s) being tracked, and/or may be visible only to an administrator ofthe ODS. Metrics may be used to track and rank groups of DBs (e.g.,single or group DBs) with some common association, such as affiliationwith a college, corporation/business, organization or town. Rankings mayalso be associated with a tiered subscription rate strategy oradditional fee. Metrics may be collected in any fashion which mayprovide meaningful and relevant interpretation, which may include, butnot be limited to parameters such as within a specified time frame,within a specified user type or role.

In some embodiments, the ODS may support, enable, and/or facilitatecreation, maintenance, display, and/or use of a calendar, which mayinclude any suitable events, which may be created by a user or to whichthe user may be invited, including, but not limited to, the following:

A) Individual Event:

-   -   1. Dating Event    -   2. Social Event    -   3. Charitable/Benevolent Event    -   4. Informative/Educational Event    -   5. Mentor Event    -   6. Student Event

B) Group Event:

-   -   1. Social Event    -   2. Charitable/benevolent Event    -   3. Informative/educational Event

In some embodiments, the ODS may support, enable, and/or facilitate aswapping event amongst two or more users of the ODS. For example, twodifferent MEM users functioning in a buddy role for two different DBusers may swap/trade their DB's amongst each other (e.g., with theconsent of all). This buddy swap may also be allowed if one or bothparticipants are exclusive buddy's, or BDEs (may allow for anypermutation of BDMs and BDEs). As another example, two different DBusers functioning in a matchmaker role for two different buddy/MEM usersmay swap/trade their buddy/MEM users amongst each other (e.g., with theconsent of all).

Description of FIGS. 36 and 37

FIG. 36 may depict an exemplary DB paradigm 3600, as may be describedabove, where an algorithm 3601 may match the Buddy role 3602, which maybe performed by a subscribing single partner seeking member, with the DBrole 3604, which may be performed by a second member who may be singleand may be partner seeking. The DB role 3604 may provide to the Buddyrole 3602 set ups of any friends they know who might be compatible withthe Buddy. These friends of the DB may be performing the Candidate role3606. Set up between the friend of the DB (the Candidate) and the Buddymay be a non-algorithm match 3603 (the “+/−” icon 3605 of paradigm 3600may be indicative of a call to action for acceptance or rejection of aproposed connection). In such a model, all parties may be individuals,though variants described herein where this may not be true include theDB role performed by groups that may include couples, friends, multipleindividual DBs that have come together to form a group, an organization(formal or informal, which may center around benevolence, charity,informational/educational, spiritual), a business or corporation (orsome subset thereof), a famous individual acting as a unique entity, agroup created by an algorithm, etc.

FIG. 37 may depict an “Eastern Culture” or other suitable qualifier fora variant of a paradigm 3700, which may represent two common forms ofrelationship building reflected in the cultures of that area. The firstmay be a parent/family/support group arranged relationship, and thesecond may be a hybrid of the parent-arranged construct combined withself-arranged, which may be labelled as arranged with consent. In such aconstruct, the Buddy role may represent a Buddy unit 3702 that mayinclude a family component and an individual (“IND”) component. Thefamily component may include parents, immediate family, extended family,or significant others, or any other entity or group of entities that mayhave a vested interest in the wellbeing of the individual. Theindividual component may be the single person who is seeking a partner(“PS”). As with paradigm 3600 of FIG. 36, the Buddy role 3702 ofparadigm 3700 of FIG. 37 may include two sub-types, one which mayperform both the Buddy role and (with a different member) the DB role,the other which may exclusively perform only the Buddy role. Thealgorithm match 3701 may mimic the model of FIG. 36 described above inthat it may match a Buddy role 3702 with a DB role 3704. However, inthis variant, the Buddy role 3702 may be performed by afamily/individual unit, and so too may be the case with the DB role3704. In this construct the DB role 3704 may include a “family”component and an individual (IND) component (optional in somevariants—which may mirror the classic DB paradigm in which some variantsmay include individuals performing the DB role that may not be currentlyseeking a partner (IND (NPS)), but may wish to participate in the DB, ormatchmaking, function to set up their friends) (the “+/−” icon 3705 ofparadigm 3700 may be indicative of a call to action for acceptance orrejection of a proposed connection). The family component may includeparents, immediate family, extended family, or significant others or anyvested entity. The individual may be a demographically matched age rangeconsidered person who may or may not be seeking a partner, but whosedemographic consideration when matched with either Buddy family or Buddyindividual partner preferences may increase the likelihood ofcompatibility of the eventually offered Candidate family/individual unitwith the Buddy family or Buddy individual. In other words the Buddyfamily and/or the Buddy individual may be more likely to find acompatible match in the friends child of a DB family who themselves havea child who is demographically matched to the Buddy family and/orindividual preferences. Families who are friends of other families maytend to be more likely similar in their demographics, and a child of theDB family may be more likely to be friends with children who are similardemographically, so this would suggest an increased likelihood that achild of a DB family who has friends that are demographically similar,and whose demographics are considered in the algorithm 3701 with thepartner preferences of the Buddy family and/or the Buddy individual,would be more likely to choose/offer a Candidate family unit whichcontains an individual seeking a partner who is demographically similarto the Buddy Family partner preferences and/or the Buddy individualpartner preferences, thereby increasing the probability that theindividual Buddy who is partner seeking and the individual candidate whois partner seeking are more likely to be compatible due to thecombination of demographic compatibilities between preferences requestedand characteristics which are present, along with the personal touch ofthe family offering the candidate family suggesting them as an optionchoosing this family/individual unit based on their personal assessmentof the potential for compatibility as well (e.g., mimicking thepreviously described DB paradigm where the DB choosing which friends tooffer as a Candidate may take into consideration their own personalthoughts about the compatibility of a potential match beyond input dataconsidered by the algorithm alone). The Candidate role 3706 of FIG. 37may be performed by a unit comprised of a family component and anindividual component (both of which may be utilized). The family unitmay include parents, immediate family, extended family and/orsignificant others or other vested entities. The individual may includean individual who is single and partner seeking. Similar to theabove-described DB paradigm, the Candidate role 3706 may be a friend,acquaintance, peer or neighbor of the DB role 3704 that the DB role 3704believes may be compatible with the Buddy role 3702. In this construct,compatibility may be considered on multiple levels, includingcompatibility of the families, compatibility of the individuals, or anypermutation of those four constituents.

Buddy role 3702 of FIG. 37 may provide the following information:

a) Type 1

-   -   1) Family        -   A) Personal information        -   B) Partner Preferences            -   i) Family partner preferences            -   ii) Individual partner preferences        -   C) DB Preferences            -   i) DB Family Preferences            -   ii) DB Individual Preferences        -   D) Buddy Preferences            -   i) Buddy Family Preferences            -   ii) Buddy Individual Preferences    -   2) Individual        -   A) Personal Information        -   B) Partner Preferences            -   i) Family Partner Preferences            -   ii) Individual Partner Preferences        -   C) DB Preferences            -   i) DB Family Preferences            -   ii) DB Individual Preferences        -   D) Buddy Preferences            -   i) Buddy Family Preferences            -   ii) Buddy Individual Preferences

b) Type 2

-   -   1) Family        -   A) Personal Information        -   B) Partner Preferences            -   i) Family Partner Preferences            -   ii) Individual Partner Preferences        -   C) DB Preferences            -   i) DB Family Preferences            -   ii) DB Individual Preferences    -   2) Individual        -   A) Personal Information        -   B) Partner Preferences            -   i) Family Partner Preferences            -   ii) Individual Partner Preferences        -   C) DB Preferences            -   i) DB Family Preferences            -   ii) DB Individual Preferences                Type 1 Buddy may also take on a DB role for other                members, whereas Type 2 exclusive may not act as a DB                (but mimic BDM and SDE of first/“classic” paradigm).                Type 1 may be called BDFM and type 2 may be called BDFE.

DB role 3704 of FIG. 37 may provide the following information:

a) Type 1 (may be same as Type 1 Buddy role above)

b) Type 2

-   -   1) Family        -   A) Personal Information        -   B) Buddy Preferences            -   i) Buddy Family Preferences            -   ii) Buddy Individual Preferences    -   2) Individual (optional—not partner seeking)        -   A) Personal Information        -   B) Buddy Preferences            -   i) Buddy Family Preferences            -   ii) Buddy Individual Preferences                Type 1 DB may also take on Buddy role, while Type 2 DB                exclusive may not (does not include a partner seeking                individual). Type 1 may be called DBFM and type 2 may be                called DBFE.

Candidate role 3706 of FIG. 37 may provide the following information(Candidate role may be called CANDF):

1) Family

-   -   A) Personal Information    -   B) Partner Preferences        -   i) Family Partner Preferences        -   ii) Individual Partner Preferences

2) Individual

-   -   A) Personal Information    -   B) Partner Preferences        -   i) Family Partner Preferences        -   ii) Individual Partner Preferences

The algorithm 3701 of FIG. 37 may initially offer a potential Buddy Unit(BDFM or BDFE) 3702 to a DB unit (DBFM or DBFE) 3704. If DB unit 3704accepts, the DB unit 3704 may be offered to the Buddy Unit 3702 foracceptance. If they accept, the DB unit 3704 may review the Buddy Unit'sprofile and may interact with them through whatever means is available,including chat, message, video chat, email, and telephone or through anyother method that may be at least partially provided by the ODS. Aftergetting to know the Buddy Unit 3702, the DB Unit 3704 may consider allof the Candidate Units 3706 they know, either as friends, acquaintances,peers and neighbors, and then may offer as Candidate units 3706 any ofthese friends who they believe include family and/or individual who maybe a good match 3703 for the Buddy Unit 3702, either Buddy family,and/or Buddy individual, or both. The Candidate Unit 3706 may beprovided with access to the profile of the Buddy Unit 3702 by the DBUnit 3704 (their friends). If after reviewing the Buddy unit's profilethe Candidate Unit 3706 is interested in being introduced to the BuddyUnit 3702, then they may be offered (e.g., by the system) as theCandidate Unit to the Buddy unit for acceptance. If after reviewing theCandidate Unit's profile the Buddy Unit accepts the offer, the Buddyunit and the Candidate unit may interact through whatever means areavailable (e.g., at least partially through the system or otherwise) toget to know each other, at both the family and the individual level.After further review from both family/individual units, if there ismutual acceptance, then both individuals from the Buddy and Candidateunits may be offered the opportunity to interact directly with eachother (e.g., at least partially through the system or otherwise). Thismatch may require both individuals to accept the choice to interact.

The reward system from the classic DB paradigm 3600 of FIG. 36 maytrigger in FIG. 37 when any of the potential matches have accepted thenext step of engagement.

The beauty of this tiered process is that it may mimic a trending hybridin relationship building in Southern Asia, allowing for both an initialparental consent in the process, followed by involvement by theindividual in the vetting process and eventually the individual'sconsent in the final match between individuals. This may allow for anelegant approach to melding the parentally (or otherwise)-arrangedmarriage with an individual's consent, tracking with the current trendculturally in which this type of hybrid decision is the fastest growingprotocol in use. Also, as with the classic DB paradigm, thecompatibility of the families and individuals involved may be increasedby the combination of the technology of a system algorithm optimizingthe potential to bring families and individuals together whosedemographic preferences are most likely manifested in the alternativefamily/individual, but also that it incorporates the human touch byhaving the DB family and possibly the DB individual as well help tochoose who they believe would be most compatible, adding the human touchto the scientific algorithmic process (much like the advantage thatexists in the classic DB paradigm described above). To restate, afamily/individual unit acting in the DB role whose demographics approachthe preferences of the Buddy role unit are more likely to be friendswith other families/individual units with similar demographics, thusincreasing the likelihood that the Candidates offered to the Buddy unitare more likely to have similar demographics to their statedpreferences, thereby increasing the probability of a compatible match ofthe family and/or the individual. In addition, the human touch of the DBrole unit family reviewing their network of family/individual units toact as potential Candidates may add an additional element of human touchwhich may further increase the likelihood of compatibility in thefamily/individual unit with the Buddy unit, and eventually thisincreased compatibility experienced at all levels and combinations mayultimately increase the probability of increased compatibility of thetwo partner seeking individuals.

Another consideration may be that although this hybrid paradigm may lenditself very elegantly to the desirable hybrid relationship buildingparadigm in the Eastern culture which combines the parent-arrangedcomponent with the individuals input and/or consent, a sub-variant ofthe paradigm just described may emulate the more traditional model whichmay be more strictly adherent to parent-arranged, or parent-arrangedwith individuals input. To accomplish proper emulation of these moretraditional constructs, certain components of the process describedabove may be removed or less heavily weighted in the matching process,such as input and algorithm consideration of the partner seekingindividuals' preferences, as well as any preferences of the individual.Secondly, the partner seeking individuals may not be involved in thevetting process when the Buddy family and the Candidate family, or forthat matter the buddy family and the DB family, are interacting andassessing each other for compatibility. Thirdly, the two partner seekingindividuals may not be offered the opportunity to accept or reject eachother when finally offered to meet by their respective families.

Such relationship building paradigms may be broken down into thefollowing four sub-types and may be compared to their DB variantcounterparts as follows:

-   -   1) Self-arranged=Classic DB paradigm    -   2) Jointly-arranged=Hybrid Eastern Culture variant where all        input that can be derived from individuals from all units may be        requested and/or at least considered in the algorithm, where DB        Individual (if they exist) opinion about the choice of potential        Candidate units may be considered, Candidate individual and        Buddy individual's opinions may be considered when Candidate        role is offered to Buddy role for mutual acceptance, and both        may accept as may their parents, and both Candidate individual        and Buddy individual may accept when offered to each other        directly.    -   3) Parent-arranged with consent of individual=Hybrid Eastern        Culture variant where original algorithm match between Buddy        family and DB family may be accomplished with some aspect of        individuals involvement left out—this may be the input        preferences (partner, DB or Buddy) of the individuals from both        units not requested and/or not considered in an algorithm,        and/or the individuals opinion about the algorithm match may not        be considered in the decision to accept, and/or the DB        individuals opinion about the choice of Candidate role may not        be considered, and/or the Buddy and Candidate individual's        opinions may not be considered in the acceptance of the match        between the two family units or the vetting of the compatibility        of the two individuals in the decision to offer the two meet        each other as the final match. Consent of the individual may        then be represented by their reaction and decisions in regards        to that final match, either to accept the interaction, or to        accept the formal relationship that may ensue from the formal        introduction. In addition, individual consent may also be        represented by allowing any of the aforementioned exclusions of        the individual's participation be included instead (e.g., Buddy        IND (PS) (BDIM or BDIE) 3702′ and CAND IND (PS) (CANDI) 3706′        may consent or have an independent match 3703′).    -   4) Parent-arranged=All of the above exclusions of any        individuals' participation may be strictly adhered to, and when        the partner seeking Buddy individual and the partner seeking        Candidate individual are introduced in the final match, unlike        #3 above, they may not have the option to accept or reject the        introduction, accept or reject the relationship or perform any        type of consenting behavior at any point in the process.

In some embodiments, following the novel principles described withrespect to the ODS, a new kind of social network may be achieved, whichmay be referred to herein as a BuddyNation (“BN”). Such a BN may be anovel interactive online social network experience that may affordmultiple advantages over existing social networks. BN may be focused onthe creation of new friendships and the facilitation of participation inhobbies and interests. BN may utilize both overt and covert behavioralcues to incentivize users to pursue and engage in these activities. BNmay also use the synergistic value of benevolence in a variety of waysto enrich the wellbeing of the experience, resulting in improved userretention.

As described with respect to the ODS, the BN may first enable a user tostart off by entering profile information. This may include demographicinformation (e.g., geographical and biographical data) and detailedinformation regarding all hobbies (H), activities (A) and topics orareas of interest (T) to that user (“HAT”), which may be similar to atleast the personal information portion of a MEM user profile describedabove. Such a profile may be produced with all chosen HAT areasdisplayed in icon format by the BN. When a user selects such an icon, aBN page or information section, which may be location-based, may belaunched and/or otherwise provided by the BN for that user that willfocus on that selected HAT area. In some embodiments, the filteringscope for a post/wall feed for a community wall may allow for range ofscope from specific groups within the members circle, or may begeographically filtered, which may be local or global, or any degree inbetween. Additionally or alternatively, when any type of calendar eventexists, either created by user, or to which the user may be invited, alocation-based technology (e.g., of subsystem 10 and/or a client device100) may allow the proximity of the users mobile device at the eventtime frame to automatically credit the user for the participation in theevent, which may then trigger a reward structure which may include BB,CB, or any form of barter or charitable act. This same location-basedtracking may also be utilized for any mentor-student interaction, andmay trigger a reward as above. This same location-based tracking mayalso be utilized when any BN group members participate in a shared(scheduled) event, where they may be rewarded for such aggregateparticipation as this may cultivate the fostering of socialization andcommunity. The scope of potential HAT communities, also referred toherein as MicroSites (“MS”), may be vast, selected initially based onknown popularity, and then, over time, via analytics and testing. FutureHAT communities may be based on regionally concentrated interests andcultural trending. If a BN user chooses a golf icon, for example, a BNpage devoted to golf (e.g., “GolfBuddy”) may be launched by the BN forthat user. Content may be prioritized by proximity, and, thus may be“local” to the user. These local features may include real-time postingsof local members within the community (e.g., GolfBuddy community), alocal calendar tracking multiple event types, and/or a section devotedto the novel “BuddyEngine (BE).” The BE may have three (3) potentialfunctions, which may be implemented throughout the BN network, which mayallow a BN user to define and track at least three (3) types of groupson any given MS. There may be unique uses for the BE in what may bereferred to as Specialized Micro Sites (“SMSs”), but for now we willlimit this discussion to common usage in Micro Sites (“MSs”).

In the following example using the golf site, the users within any ofthese groups may be referred to as golfbuddies (GBs). A first type of GBmay be for a member requesting to find other potential “local”golfbuddies who have similar levels of experience or skill. The user mayselect and rank certain characteristics, including, but not limited to,a handicap of self and range of handicap for potential buddy, locationwhere user plays and range of locations willing to play at withpotential buddy, days and times user plays and range of days and timesuser is willing to play with potential buddy, sex range for potentialbuddy, education and other demographic or biographic data or ranges forpotential buddy, style of play (casual/competitive) and range of styleof play for potential buddy, and the like, and the BN may use analgorithm that may leverage these characteristics to provide anopportunity for that user to be introduced to another local user. Such aBN algorithm may utilize proprietary technology to take advantage ofovert and covert data to optimize compatibility. A second type of GB maybe for a member requesting to be part of a mentor/student relationship(e.g., “I am a novice golfer looking to find a local golfer with moreexpertise than I who is willing to help me advance my skills” or “I am aseasoned golfer who would like the opportunity to help a local novicegrow as a player”). The third type of golfbuddy may allow a user toinvite known friends into his circle of golfbuddies within thecommunity. Thus on any given buddy site the user may be capable oftracking three different types of golfbuddy groups, eitherindependently, or in combination. Thus, the user may be capable ofviewing comments from all local golfbuddies, or can toggle the filter toview only those postings from one or more of their golfbuddy groups. Aninteractive BN calendar may allow users to track events connected tothese golfbuddy circles, such that each circle may be trackedindependently via adjoining buttons or other UI features. Calendarevents, like postings, may be viewed from multiple perspectives. Theuser may toggle to view events specific to their golfbuddy groups, orthose open to the local community. These events may be activity relatedevents like an invitation to golf, or a social event. Lastly, a calendarfunction may be provided for all local charitable events, which may bevisible to all local members, where a user can participate in, providingthe opportunity to meet other local golfbuddies in a benevolent context.

Such a BN may provide significant advantages over conventional socialnetworks. The BN may enable a user to find friendship with locals whoshare the same interests (e.g., “I'd rather hang out with people thatlike to do the same things as myself, rather than people who are friendsof my friends”). The BE may be driven by proprietary technology that maytake into account covert and overt cues resulting in a higher likelihoodof compatibility. The BN may afford the opportunity for those who wantto share their skills to help another learn, and then both parties in amentor/student interaction may get rewarded for the act (e.g., like a DBof the similar ODS). The BN may afford the opportunity for those whowant to learn more about any given activity from another user with moreadvanced skills. The BN may motivate users to participate in a moreactive lifestyle, socially and/or physically, which may greatly improvetheir work/life balance (e.g., in the context of a social environmentthat may be optimized for compatibility, such as via proprietaryalgorithms of the BN). A MEN/STUD interaction facilitated by such asystem/service may not only enable a broadening of each user'sfriendship base with respect to common interests and/or new interests,but also may enable the STUD user to potentially be retrained for a newexpertise that can provide that user with a new skill set enabling a newcareer path for that user. New occupations and work forces can becultivated, fostered, groomed, targeted, and utilized through this novelsystem/service. An interactive tracking calendar of the BN mayfacilitate participation in the various types of meetings that may bepossible, thereby allowing for uniquely targeted invitations which maybe more likely to be attended. This calendar may allow for the creationof any type of event listed elsewhere in this document by the user, ormay have an event invitation of the same scope previously mentioned forthe user. The BN may incentivize users to partake in benevolentbehaviors, which may result in a significant positive feeling, and/or animproved retention rate for existing user. Helping each other just feelsbetter. The BN may encourage users to participate via an interactivecalendar in social and benevolent acts where they may meet others intheir unique community, which may thereby increase the likelihood ofcreating new friendships, where common interests are shared. The BN mayallow for the tracking, and eventual rankings, of mentoring activity viamaintaining stats on the activities, and issuing badges. This scenariomay also lend itself to a bid/auction scenario once rankings areestablished. Tracking metrics of this nature may also tap into thecompetitive spirit, which may thereby create yet another attraction toparticipation, resulting in improved retention of the user membership.Moreover, whenever a user member may participate in a benevolentbehavior associated with the BN, such as a mentoring contact with astudent buddy, or engaging in a charitable event, that user may berewarded by the BN (e.g., with a BuddyBuck (“BB”) and/or a CharityBuck(“CB”)). A CB may trigger a donation to a charity chosen by the usermember as a show of thanks by the BN for benevolent participation of theuser with respect to the BN. A BB may represent a discount that can beapplied to an eStore and/or other suitable vendors that may offerdiscounted products/services tailored to the BN's demographic (e.g.,thereby resulting in a unique monetization for the BN). A MEM user ofthe BN may be considered a user of the BN who is looking for one or moreother users that share a common interest. A MEN (e.g., mentor) user ofthe BN may be considered a user of the BN who desires to teach/coachanother user. A MEN user may be tracked as to their history ofmentor/student relationships, any ratings provided by STUD user andtracked by site, and such ratings/rankings may be made available toother users, or just to site administrators, or just to user, and maylend itself to participation in an auction/bid scenario, where potentialSTUD users may bid for MEN users and may use a form of barter that mayinclude BB, CB, money, or any charitable category. MEN users may alsoexist in a group, formal or informal, created from any collection ofusers, which may include local MEN users, MEN users associated with anorganization or school or company, or the like. A STUD (e.g., student)user of the BN may be considered a user of the BN who desires to betaught/coached by another user. A COM user of the BN may be considered auser of the BN when they are not requiring an algorithmic function ofthe BN. A COM user may refer to a user who is currently not requesting aSTUD user or MEN user match, not currently requesting to find apotential similar buddy, like a local golfbuddy of similarcharacteristics to play with, and therefore may not currently beinvolved in any algorithm matching process. This may refer to a userthat currently has no buddy circles, or to a user that has buddy groupsformed, but is not currently participating in any of the potentialalgorithm match processes.

A BN may be provided for any suitable HAT area, including, but notlimited to, the following:

-   -   Golf    -   Football    -   Tennis    -   Baseball    -   Basketball    -   Soccer    -   Lacrosse    -   Racquetball    -   Boating/sailing    -   Fishing    -   Hunting    -   Surfing    -   Waterski    -   Snowski    -   Extreme sports    -   cycling    -   motorcycling    -   rollerblading    -   canoe    -   kayak    -   hiking/climbing    -   camping    -   weightlifting    -   pilates    -   yoga    -   MindBody    -   Running/Jogging    -   skateboard    -   mountain biking    -   martial arts    -   hockey    -   volleyball    -   watersports    -   snowsports    -   Fitness    -   Wellness    -   Anti-aging    -   Field Hockey    -   Rugby    -   Squash    -   Triathlon/Biathlon    -   rowing    -   swimming    -   scuba diving    -   snow boarding    -   ping gong    -   poker    -   card games    -   chess    -   board games    -   bridge    -   cosplay    -   crafting    -   sewing/knitting/quilting    -   scrapbooking    -   astronomy    -   photography    -   writer/author    -   painting/artist    -   digital artist    -   antique    -   collectibles    -   car    -   car racing    -   jewelry/leather crafting    -   wood working    -   genealogy    -   singing    -   musician    -   composer    -   technogeek    -   winetasting    -   movies/theatre    -   music    -   art    -   politics    -   metaphysics    -   live music    -   dancing    -   gardening    -   cooking    -   books/reading    -   philosophy    -   horses    -   dogs    -   cats    -   birds    -   exotic pets    -   bowling    -   billiards    -   darts    -   parlor games    -   Autism    -   Alzheimer's    -   Foreign Countries    -   History    -   Physical Sciences    -   Environmental Sciences    -   UFO

Description of FIG. 38, FIGS. 39A, and 39B

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of an illustrative process 3800. At step 3802, aMEM user account may be created for a MEM user through MEM userinteraction with the ODS. For example, as described above, a MEM userprofile may include personal information for the MEM user, partnerpreference information for the MEM user, and DB preference informationfor the MEM user. At step 3804, a DB user account may be created for aDB user through DB user interaction with the ODS. For example, asdescribed above, a DB user profile may include personal information forthe DB user, partner preference information for the DB user, and/oruser-as-DB information for the DB user.

At step 3806, the ODS may leverage any suitable information from the MEMuser account and any suitable information from the DB user account toassign an appropriate DB user to a MEM user as a matchmaker. Forexample, as described above, the ODS may leverage MEM user profile dataand DB user profile data from at least some or all available MEM usersand from at least some or all DB users of the ODS with a MEM-DBalgorithm to identify at least one fit for a specific MEM-DB linkedassignment. In response to an identified fit, one and/or both of theidentified MEM user and the identified DB user of that identified fitmay be enabled by the ODS to approve or decline the fit. If the fit isdeclined at step 3806, either by the MEM user, by the DB user, or both,the ODS may be configured to identify certain data that may beindicative of one or more reasons for the fit being declined (e.g., theODS may poll each declining user with one or more questions about whythey declined the suggested fit), and such data may be leveraged by theMEM-DB algorithm to identify at least one new fit for a specific MEM-DBlinked assignment (e.g., by repeating step 3806).

However, if the fit is approved at step 3806, process 3800 may advanceto step 3808, where the ODS may facilitate or otherwise enable the DBuser of the fit in identifying a DB contact for the MEM user of the fit.For example, as described above, the DB user may consider any contact(e.g., friend) that the DB user may have communicative access to in anysuitable way (e.g., direct contact and/or contact through some onlinecommunication mechanism, such as an online social network or e-mailservice), and may identify at least one such contact that may beconsidered by the DB user as potential good match as a partner for thepartner-seeking MEM user (e.g., based on data accessible to the DB userfrom the ODS of the MEM user's account profile). In some embodiments, aDB user may identify one or more online social networks of the DB user,from which the ODS may access certain information for aiding in the DBuser's quest to identify one or more DB contacts for the MEM user. Forexample, the ODS may be configured to access certain information from acontact list of the DB user (e.g., from a contact list local to the DBuser's client device 100 and/or from a DB user's account with an onlinesocial network, such as social network subsystem 20), which may enablethe ODS to automatically identify certain DB contacts based on acomparison of accessed information for those DB contacts and partnerpreference information of the MEM user's profile. For example, the ODSmay be able to access photos of various DB contacts through such anaccessed contact list and may process those accessed photos (e.g., viaany suitable facial recognition techniques) with respect to preferredand/or non-preferred physical features of the preferred partner portionof the MEM user's profile in order to filter out certain DB contactsthat may not meet the physical requirements of the MEM user, therebyaiding the DB's identification process of step 3808. As another example,the ODS may be able to access any suitable demographic information ofvarious DB contacts through such an accessed contact list (e.g., throughaccessing certain metadata from a Facebook account of the DB user) andmay process that accessed demographic information with respect topreferred and/or non-preferred demographic information of the preferredpartner portion of the MEM user's profile in order to filter out certainDB contacts that may not meet the demographic preferences of the MEMuser, thereby aiding the DB's identification process of step 3808.

Next, at step 3810, process 3800 may include the ODS granting theidentified DB contact with access to the MEM user's account. Forexample, as described above, the ODS may enable or otherwise facilitatea link or any other suitable information being communicated to theidentified DB contact (e.g., directly from the ODS or via the DB user),which may enable the DB contact to view at least a portion of the MEMuser profile of the MEM user account (e.g., through interaction of theDB contact with the ODS). If such access enables the DB contact todetermine that he or she would like to connect with the MEM user, a CANDuser account may be created at step 3812 for the DB contact through DBcontact interaction with the ODS. For example, as described above, aCAND user profile may include personal information for the DB contactand partner preference information for the DB contact. Then, at step3814 of process 3800, the ODS may enable a connection between the CANDuser account and the MEM user account. For example, as described above,if a DB contact/CAND user decides (e.g., through review of the MEMuser's profile) that the CAND user would like to connect with the MEMuser, the ODS may enable the MEM user to decide (e.g., through review ofthe CAND user's profile) that the MEM user would like to connect withthe CAND user, and, if so, the ODS may enable a linked connectionbetween the MEM user and the CAND user via the ODS.

If a DB contact/CAND user declines a suggested connection with a MEMuser and/or if the MEM user declines a suggested/accepted connectionrequest for a DB contact/CAND user, the ODS may be configured toidentify certain data that may be indicative of one or more reasons forthe suggested connection being declined (e.g., the ODS may poll eachdeclining user with one or more questions about why they declined thesuggested connection), and such data may be leveraged by the ODS forfuture processes (e.g., by alerting the DB user as to a potential reasonfor the declined suggestion such that future suggestions may avoid asimilar fate). Additionally or alternatively, if a DB contact/CAND useraccepts a suggested connection with a MEM user and/or if the MEM useraccepts a suggested/accepted connection request for a DB contact/CANDuser, the ODS may be configured to identify certain data that may beindicative of one or more reasons for the suggested connection beingaccepted (e.g., the ODS may poll each accepting user with one or morequestions about why they accepted the suggested connection), and suchdata may be leveraged by the ODS for future processes (e.g., by alertingthe DB user as to a potential reason for the accepted suggestion suchthat future suggestions may aim to achieve a similar result). Suchreasoning data may include identification of one or more physical and/ornon-physical traits of the declined/accepted user that was identified asa reason for the declining/accepting user to arrive at that decision.Such reasoning data may be used at any suitable process of the ODS forany suitable reason, such as to update or refine or otherwise supplementa user's partner preference profile based on such reasoning data (e.g.,updating a “facial features” profile portion of a MEM user's partnerpreference profile based on previous declining/accepting reasoning datathat may be indicative of that MEM user's preferences andnon-preferences with respect to profile pictures of the CAND usersdeclined/accepted by that MEM user (e.g., through the ODS leveraging anysuitable facial recognition techniques, etc.)). Moreover, this conceptmay be extended not just to declining/accepting suggested MEM-CANDconnections, but also to different levels of advancement for an acceptedMEM-CAND connection. For example, if an accepted connection between aMEM user and a CAND user results in any suitable event that may betracked by the ODS (e.g., a telephone call between the users, anin-person meeting between the users, a second data between the users, adecision to terminate the connection, the connection not resulting inany suitable event for any suitable period of inactivity, etc.), the ODSmay be configured to identify certain data that may be indicative of oneor more reasons for the connection resulting in that event (e.g., theODS may poll each user with one or more questions about why they allowedthe connection to advance to that event). Such data may be leveraged bythe ODS for any suitable purpose, such as for identifying trends withrespect to a user and its profile compared to the profile of itsconnection for making future MEM-DB suggestions and/or future MEM-CANDsuggestions more effective (e.g., MEM-CAND suggestions informed by a DBor MEM-CAND suggestions that may be automatically suggested by the ODS).Such data may enable the ODS to guide a MEM user towards other usersthat have similar profiles to those with which the MEM user has hadprevious success and/or away from other users that have similar profilesto those with which the MEM user has had previous non-success.

Such a connection of step 3814 may trigger or enable the potential for areward to be issued to the DB user or any other user of the ODS. Forexample, when an initial MEM-CAND connection is made at the suggestionof a DB user, the ODS may enable that DB to be rewarded in one or moresuitable ways. The ODS may be configured to provide a reward to a DBwhen such a connection achieves one or more suitable levels ofengagement that may be tracked by the ODS (e.g., a telephone callbetween the users, an in-person meeting between the users, a second databetween the users, etc.), which may provide incentive for a DB to beeffective. In some embodiments, if a MEM user declines a connection witha suggested CAND user and/or if a MEM user eventually terminates aconnection with a suggested and connected CAND user, that MEM user inits role as a DB user may suggest that CAND user to a buddy MEM userassigned to that initial MEM user in its role as a DB, such that anyinterfacing between a MEM user and a suggested CAND user may beleveraged by that MEM user for connections other than a connectionbetween that MEM user and that CAND user. Additionally or alternatively,if a CAND user declines a connection with a suggested MEM user and/or ifa CAND user eventually terminates a connection with a suggested andconnected MEM user, the ODS may enable that CAND user to suggest aconnection between that MEM user and a contact (e.g., friend) of thatCAND user (e.g., similarly to step 3808). Therefore, even though thatCAND user may not currently have a user account with the ODS thatpositions the CAND user as an official DB, the ODS may enable that CANDuser to send a link or other identifying information regarding asuggested MEM user to a contact for potentially matchmaking that CANDcontact and that MEM user, such that any interfacing between a MEM userand a suggested CAND user may be leveraged by that CAND user forconnections other than a connection between that MEM user and that CANDuser. In such examples, while the CAND user may not have an account withthe ODS as a DB user that may otherwise result in a reward beingprovided by the ODS to that CAND user for facilitating a successfulconnection between a contact of that CAND user and a MEM user, the ODSmay track such events in order to properly reward such a CAND userif/when that CAND user updates its account with the ODS to an accountwhere the user may also act as a DB user, thereby providing additionalincentive for a CAND user to upgrade its account with the ODS from aCAND user to a full MEM/DB user.

It is understood that the steps shown in process 3800 of FIG. 38 aremerely illustrative and that existing steps may be modified or omitted,additional steps may be added, and the order of certain steps may bealtered.

FIGS. 39A and 39B collectively are a flowchart of another illustrativeprocess 3900 that may be enabled by an ODS and/or BN of this disclosureand that may be similar to at least certain portions of process 3900. Itis understood that the steps shown in process 3900 of FIGS. 39A and 39Bcollectively are merely illustrative and that existing steps may bemodified or omitted, additional steps may be added, and the order ofcertain steps may be altered.

The following is a summary of potential role types (PPathways) (e.g., asmay be shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B collectively):

-   -   1) Buddy (BD)—partner-seeking member who is matched with a DB to        help them.    -   2) CAND—partner-seeking non-member who is known and introduced        by a DB to a partner-seeking member acting in the Buddy role.        They are chosen from the DB's personal network based on        compatibility with the Buddy (BD) they are setting up.    -   3) DateBuddy (DB)—member, Partner-seeking or not, who is matched        with a partner-seeking Buddy to help them by introducing them to        CAND(s) which are partner-seeking contacts from their network of        contacts. A special exception is when the DB identifies and        introduces another member they know (have met) who is partner        seeking in lieu of the usual CAND to the Buddy they are assigned        to help.

The following is a summary of potential User types:

-   -   1) MFM—a member, who may pay a subscription rate, who        participates in both the Buddy (BD) role (partner-seeking) and        the DB role (matchmaker role).    -   2) CAND—a non-member who participates in the CAND role who is        introduced to a member functioning in the Buddy role by a member        functioning in the DB role.    -   3) DBE—a member, who may pay a subscription rate, who        participates exclusively in the DB role.    -   4) BDE—a member, who may pay a subscription rate, who        participates exclusively in the Buddy role.

The following is a summary of potential Profile Components (visibilityof any or all components may be user and role specific):

-   -   1) Personal biography (Description of self)    -   2) Personal history of activity    -   3) Personal Metrics    -   4) CAND and their attributes you have offered as DB    -   5) Partner preferences    -   6) DB preferences    -   7) Buddy preferences    -   8) History of activity preferences    -   9) Metric preferences    -   10) Preference for CAND and their attributes from potential DB        (CAND they have offered on site)

The following is a summary of potential elements that may influencesubscription rates:

-   -   1) User type    -   2) Special deals or discounts    -   3) Reward for specific form or degree of participation in the        ODS process and/or on the site and/or on the broader social        network and/or associated with a        charitable/benevolent/coaching/mentoring act    -   4) Length of time on site    -   5) Length of subscription    -   6) Subscription for other sites within network    -   7) Single or group entity    -   8) Organization or corporate membership    -   9) Multiple DB's assigned simultaneously    -   10) History of activity    -   11) Metrics    -   12) A DB's pool of CANDs and their attributes    -   13) Preferences of any type    -   14) Preferences for any DB metric and/or CAND and their        attributes

An algorithm (ODS) may leverage any relevant information that mayinfluence and improve the compatibility of the Buddy-DateBuddy match.This information will include, but not be limited to, the above Profilecomponent list and feedback associated with site interactions.

Possible exceptional uses of roles in paradigm described may include:

-   -   A) Buddy user of any type introducing someone to their current        or past DB (partner-seeking DB type). This “someone” would be        participating in the role of Candidate for this introduction,        and may be:        -   1) a past Candidate introduced to the Buddy in the past,        -   2) a past/present Buddy of this Buddy while acting in the            role of DB,        -   3) a past DB of this Buddy.            -   NOTE: Though a classic candidate would be a non-member,                and therefore may not usually be rewarded with                BuddyBucks and CharityBucks, or have access to the                community site, since in these examples the role of                candidate is being fulfilled by a member, reward                structure and community access may be possible.    -   B) DB user of any type introducing to their matched Buddy a        Candidate who is already a member. This Candidate may be:        -   1) originally a classic non-member Candidate this DB            originally introduced to the site who has upgraded their            membership status,        -   2) a Buddy the DB has helped in the past,        -   3) if this DB is partner-seeking, then while this DB has            participated in the Buddy role, a past or present DB (who is            also partner-seeking) matched to them while in the buddy            role.            -   NOTE: As above, though a classic candidate would be a                non-member, and therefore may not usually be rewarded                with BuddyBucks and CharityBucks, or have access to the                community site, since in these examples the role of                candidate is being fulfilled by a member, reward                structure and community access may be possible.

As mentioned above, classic online dating services have becomeinefficient and less successful over recent years due to variousfactors. The ODS, which may include The DateBuddy Engine, provides aninnovative approach to online dating that addresses all of the deficitsof classic online dating services, either diminishing or extinguishingthem altogether. The DateBuddy Engine merges technology with the humantouch. The ODS may leverage one or more sophisticated algorithms withthe human touch provided by friends and agents engaging in the role ofmatchmaker. A new user may be instructed as to the matchmaking nature ofthe ODS and may be offered membership. The user may be instructed thatmembers will be assigned two different local singles, one who mayfunction as a matchmaker for them and introduce them to their friendswho they believe may fit them well, and a second local single who theymay act as a matchmaker for, offering to introduce any friend they havewho might be a good match. After becoming a member, they may be promptedto answer questions that may be used to create a profile. There may befour components in the question phase. The first component may befocused on biographical data that may leverage any suitable intakemethods including checkbox, text fields, and text areas. The secondcomponent may use similar methods to the first focusing on a descriptionof characteristic preferences of the member's potential partner. Thethird component may use similar methods to focus on any specificcriteria of an inclusionary or exclusionary nature describing thecharacteristics of a member who may be assigned as a matchmaker for thisnew member, and the fourth component may use similar methods and mayfocus on inclusionary and exclusionary criteria describing thecharacteristics of a member who this new member may be acting as amatchmaker for.

When a member performs the matchmaker function for another member, thisrole may be referred to as a “DateBuddy,” or DB. When a member isassigned a matchmaker, or DateBuddy, to perform the matchmaking functionfor them, this role may be referred to as a “Buddy,” or BD. After a newmember completes the question section a profile may be created. Then theDateBuddy Engine algorithm may provide a DateBuddy-Buddy match, wherethe new member may be acting in the Buddy role in this first match.Initially, the new member's profile may be offered to the matchedDateBuddy to accept or reject. If the Datebuddy rejects the match to actas matchmaker, they may be placed back in the pool to be offered toanother member. To avoid exploitation of the rejection process, amechanism may be utilized to limit the rejection process to facilitateparticipation. This mechanism may be a limited number of allowablerejections, after which a new bank of maximum rejections may be allottedwhenever an acceptance is noted. Another possible way to minimizeexploitation of the rejection process may be to alter the delay timeafter a rejection or dismissal before a new DB may be assigned in such amanner as to deter a relative overuse of the rejection or dismissalprocesses. If accepted, the DateBuddy's profile may be then offered tothe new member (acting in the Buddy role) as a new DateBuddy, to act astheir matchmaker, for them to accept or reject. To avoid exploitation ofthe rejection process, a mechanism may be utilized to limit therejection process to facilitate participation. This mechanism may be alimited number of allowable rejections, after which a new bank ofmaximum rejections may be allotted whenever an acceptance is noted. Ifthey accept, the ODS may then enable the DateBuddy to review the newmembers (Buddy's) profile, and may further choose to make direct contactwith the new member (or Buddy) via many methods, which may be enabled bythe ODS, including IM, message, text or phone call. After this review,the DateBuddy may consider their entire personal network including theirfriends, peers at work or school, neighbors, family, and acquaintancesto decide if any may be a good fit to date their new Buddy.

If the DateBuddy identifies anyone in their network that might be anappropriate choice, they may reach out to their friend with alimited-use link of the ODS (e.g., provided by either email or text),which their friend may use to enter the site for free to view theprofile of the Datebuddy's Buddy to decide if they have any interest tomeet the Buddy. If they decide to meet the Buddy, the friend of theDateBuddy, referred to as the Candidate, may be asked to complete aquestion process similar to that of the member (e.g., at no charge bythe ODS), that may result in a modified version of a profile. Thequestion section for a Candidate may differ from the question sectionfor a member in that it may not have the third and fourth componentsdescribed above, designed to define the character parameters forparticipating in the roles of DateBuddy or Buddy as part of thematchmaker algorithm. This profile may be created for a one time use sothey may be introduced to the Buddy as a Candidate to potentially meet.This Candidate profile may be then sent to the Buddy, as a “New Match,”where it may be accepted or rejected. If accepted, the Buddy and theirnew match (the Candidate) are then free to communicate via multiplemethods including IM, message, text, videoconference or phone. When theBuddy accepts the match, the Datebuddy may be rewarded with BuddyBucksand CharityBucks. BuddyBucks may be redeemable in the DateBuddy storefor discounts on merchandise or services which are targeted toward thesingles demographic. CharityBucks may represent a contribution to thecharity specified by the member who was rewarded the CharityBuck. Thismay be identified when their profile is created, and can be editedthereafter.

While the member is being helped by their DateBuddy (or matchmaker),they may be included in a pool for the DateBuddy Engine to assign themto a second local member of the opposite sex (in the heterosexual case),this time to act as their DateBuddy, or matchmaker. Thus, at any giventime in the classic use of the paradigm, a single member may be assignedto two local singles of the opposite sex (in the heterosexual case), oneto act as their Datebuddy (matchmaker), and the other to be a Datebuddy(matchmaker) for. Classic members therefore may participate in bothroles of the matchmaker (algorithm) process, possibly at the same time.

When a given Datebuddy, or matchmaker, has exhausted their network offriends/contacts who can be potential Candidates for the Buddy they arehelping, they may dismiss the connection. When this occurs, a friendlymessaged may be generated to the Buddy they were helping, and both mayre-enter the pools for their respective roles so that the Datebuddyalgorithm can generate new matches for them both. The Buddy may alsodismiss the Datebuddy at any time for any reason, minimizing thepotential for the perception of a forced relationship which couldincrease the risk of an unpleasant interaction. A similar friendlymessage may be generated, as is the re-entering into the algorithmpools. When a dismissal occurs, both members may be asked to confirm ifthey desire to allow ongoing contact on the site, retaining each otherwithin their circle of friends within the Datebuddy Community.

In the classic and most common use of the site, the member mayparticipate in both sides of the matchmaker algorithm process, but thereexist additional unique ways a member may participate. One additionalmethod of participation may be an exclusive Datebuddy, or DBE. This maybe a member that has declared that they are not interested in meeting adating partner, but instead would like to participate solely as aDatebuddy, or matchmaker. There are many possible reasons for thischoice, including a person currently in a relationship that has singlefriends they desire to help find a partner, and are further incentivizedby the rewards of redeemable discounts and charity donations, and topotentially meet new people and cultivate new friendships in thecommunity. The DBE may incur a reduced subscription rate or increasedrewards, to incentivize participation in the process on the ODS. The DBEmay create a modified profile, including a personal section and criteriafor Buddy preferences, and may not include partner and Datebuddypreference sections. Another additional method of participation may bean exclusive Buddy, or BDE. This may be a member that requests toparticipate solely in the Buddy role. Therefore they may be assigned aDatebuddy to act as their matchmaker, but may not be matched with anadditional member to act as their matchmaker. This form of participationmay incur an increased subscription rate due to its limitedparticipation. A BDE membership may also be deferred in the early phasesof the site's launch, included when the process matures in a givengeographic area. This delay may be due to the need for a significantcritical mass of participants participating in the Datebuddy role for agiven geography before the Datebuddy or matchmaking function can beexclusively offered to a subscribing member.

The Candidate, a friend/contact of the Datebuddy offered to theirassigned buddy, may be a non-member (especially in the early phases ofthis process). If so, if the Candidate is rejected when initiallyoffered to a Buddy, or after being dismissed from a connection with aBuddy, they may be offered a discounted initial rate to join the site asa full member so they may be assigned their own Datebuddy. This mayresult in a unique method for generating new membership.

Regarding these role types, a unique variant of the DBE may be a couple,either married or not, who are not looking to meet a partner, but wouldlike to act as a team to participate in the Datebuddy function in thehopes of helping their friends to find partners as well as benefitingfrom the rewards, both retail and charitable, and also potentiallymaking new friends along the way. This variant may be a type ofDatebuddy group, of which there are actually many other possiblevariations/types, as described herein.

Referring back to the original discussion regarding failings of thecommon online dating paradigms, the Datebuddy process diminishes orextinguishes them. Ghost profiles are no longer possible. The two mostcommon causes for ghosting are old members no longer participating andcurrent members who are not currently available to date, most commonlydue to a current serious dating relationship (though their paid inadvance membership persists). The Datebuddy may be offering theirfriends/contacts which they believe would be a good fit for the Buddythey are helping, and the friend/contact they are reaching out to mustactively sign on the site and create a profile (the Candidate role) toeven be offered to the Buddy. This may require by the very nature of theprocess that they be active and interested in real time. Fabrication ofthe content of a member's profile would be significantly diminished bythe nature of the process, which has matchmaker's inviting theirfriends/contacts as potential Candidates, who they may know relativelywell. As the Datebuddy knows the Candidates they offer, this maysignificantly reduce their opportunity to fabricate the content withintheir profile as the Datebuddy who knows them would likely notice anysignificant content they fabricate. In the event that a cooperativeexploit to the process is attempted, in which a Datebuddy and theirfriend conspire to present a fabricated profile as valid, then after acomplaint is filed, the ODS can investigate the complaint, and in theevent of a validated exploit, or a pattern of misbehavior, may result insuspension or expulsion form the site. The problem of relying primarilyon superficial information including photos and superficial profilecontent may be remedied by the Datebuddy process, which may bring thehuman touch into the process. The Datebuddy may review their entiresocial network to identify possible matches, called Candidates, to offerto the Buddy they are helping. They may learn about the Buddy they arehelping by reviewing their profile, and also by any other direct contactthey may choose to make. Then they may consider the personality andhistory of their friend/contacts/social connections to determine who maybe a good fit for their Buddy to meet. This “human touch” assessment ofcompatibility with a human interpretive component in the selectionprocess may clearly elevate the behavioral depth of the selectionprocess. Regarding the loneliness most online daters experience inbetween successful dates, in the Datebuddy process the classic membermay be assigned to two local sexually appropriate singles at any giventime. The nature of these interactions may be benevolent in nature asboth assignments involve helping each other to meet a dating partner.These benevolent contacts may be multiplied as each connection mayrecycle as each Datebuddy exhausts their social network, resulting inthe potential to meet a number of local singles in this benevolentcontext. This process may foster both real time acquaintanceships aswell as longer term friendships via these connections, and may alsooccasionally lead to a dating relationship as well.

In addition to addressing the pitfalls of conventional online datingmentioned above, there may be an additional significant advantage to theDatebuddy process. If we were merely adding the human touch to thematchmaking process in a random fashion, we may still make the claimthat an individual (the Datebuddy) knows their friends' personality andtendencies relatively well, and can add a tangible degree of increasedcompatibility with regard to this particular Buddy finding a compatiblepartner by setting them up with friends (the Candidate) they believe fitthem well. This may be true because Datebuddies review their friends forcompatibility with the buddy they are assisting. The ODS takes thatadvantage one significant step beyond. The ODS may utilize the humancharacteristic that individuals tend to gravitate to other individualsfor friendship in which they share common characteristics. It is a traitof human nature to gravitate to that which we find familiar, andtherefore chose friends with whom we share personal characteristics.Based upon this human tendency, the Datebuddy process may capitalize onthis by utilizing a sophisticated algorithm to match Buddies (lookingfor a partner) with matchmakers (the DateBuddy) who share demographicsimilarities to the very partners these Buddies are hoping to meet (asdefined by the Buddy's Partner Preferences in their Profile). In otherwords, these matched Datebuddies (or matchmakers) may be localindividuals of the opposite sex (in the heterosexual example) who sharedemographic similarities to the partner the Buddy hopes to meet (definedby the Buddies Partner preferences). As these Datebuddies may bedemographically similar to the partner the Buddy hopes to meet, andsince friendships naturally gravitate toward those with sharedcharacteristics, it follows that the friends of a Datebuddy may be morelikely to be similar demographically to the Datebuddy than not, who maybe by algorithmic design demographically similar to the partner theBuddy hopes to meet. Therefore the friends of the Datebuddy may be morelikely than not to be demographically similar to the partner the Buddywants to meet, which may increase the probability that the matchedDatebuddy is more likely to know as a friend, and therefore introduce, acompatible Candidate for the Buddy. This may result in a uniquelyexpansive potential for a given individual to meet a compatible match,since the Candidate introduction process may be offered to any friend ofthe Datebuddy, even non-members. This may give the Buddy access to anever expanding universe of potential Candidates that may bedemographically matched to his desired partner preferences, benevolentlyintroduced through friendship and shepherded by the Datebuddy process.The Datebuddy process may take advantage of the concept of degrees ofseparation and may allow the reach of potential matches to extend beyondthe limitation classic online dating sites suffer from of only beingable to meet other members. Therefore in the classic paradigm a personmay be limited to meeting partners only from within the membership ofthat given site. Utilizing sophisticated compatibility matching tools ina population that is no longer limited to the membership of a given siteor process results in the ODS providing a greater reach into thepopulation of potential partner candidates for a given Buddy, and thusresults in a greater chance of finding that special someone relative tothe classic online dating construct.

In addition to the Datebuddy process addressing common pitfalls sufferedby the common online dating paradigms, further incentive to participatein the process may be provided by a reward structure of the ODS. Thisstructure may include two primary components, retail and charitable. Thecharitable component may include a designation by the member in theirprofile of a charity they would like their participation to benefit.This choice may be made from a list of validated charities, and may beeditable. When a match is accepted, a CharityBuck may be rewarded to theDatebuddy responsible for the match. This CharityBuck may represent apredetermined amount of money the ODS may donate as a form of thanks forparticipation in the process. This part of the process not only maycreate an additional incentive for participation, but also may cultivatean additional route to benevolence which the site may attempt toassociate with participation, in the hopes of cultivating via manymechanisms a longer term effect of active benevolence in the culture asa whole. The actual amount represented by a CB may vary at any giventime, but may be clarified in advance of being issued. The BuddyBuck, orBB, may be a coupon redeemable at the Datebuddy store fordemographically targeted products and services at a relevant discount.The vendors may be motivated by their desire to be showcased before atargeted singles audience.

The reward structure may also be altered in myriad ways to enrich theoverall experience, and incentivize participation. In its most basicformat, the BB/CB may be rewarded in a one to one relationship when amatch is accepted. Variations on this theme may include rewardingmultiple BB/CBs for many reasons that may include the type ofparticipation (exclusive Datebuddy), random time periods, episodic timeperiods, every Nth match, superior metrics in relation to trackableevents such as set ups or matches. In addition to varying the amount ofthe reward, the site may also vary the indication for the reward. Thesite may use many different modalities to cultivate benevolentbehaviors. One such way may be the invitation process that may have anevent creation component. Although one use of this component may be tocreate a dating event to invite your new match, this same event creationprocess can be used to create benevolent events to invite an individualor any group of members to participate in, and this would may then allowfor the reward structure to be extended to participating in such anevent.

One entity in the Datebuddy process is an individual, but this may notbe a requirement. The process may also be extended to groupparticipation in a number of ways. The Datebuddy role may be performedby a group. These Datebuddy Groups, or DBGs, may be created from a groupof general members who would like to function as a team for thispurpose, or may be created from an organized group such as a company,employees from a company, a corporation, an educational institution,classmates, benevolent organization, or any group of associated membersthat function in a team fashion to perform the Datebuddy role.

Metrics may be tracked from many perspectives involved in the Datebuddyprocess. Many of these potentially trackable events may be viewed by themember they involve, or in some cases, by other members. Trackableevents may include in relation to a given member acting in the Datebuddyrole the number of Candidates offered, the number of Candidates acceptedfor a match, numbers calculated in a relative or absolute manner inrelation to standards tracked by a similar demographic. Other trackableevents might include number of BBs or CBs accumulated and available touse, accumulated cumulatively, accumulated relative to some standard forcomparison. Metrics can be maintained over all time, a given interval,or a specified interval, and an interval may be associated with aspecial event, such as a benevolent event. Any given metric maydisplayed for only the associated member, or may be seen by some othermembers in the membership, and may incentivize such members to utilizethe tracked members due to their metric success. Metrics are furtherdiscussed elsewhere herein and may also provide an incentive toparticipate in the Datebuddy process as it may tap in to the inherentcompetitive nature of the individual.

A unique use of the metrics may be to create an auction/bid scenario,especially after the maturing of the process, which would allow propertime for the accumulation of metrics capable of separating theperformance of the membership in a tiered fashion. Another uniquesituation that may lend itself to an auction/bid scenario may be afamous person or organization offering to participate in the Datebuddyrole, where charitable rewards, or CBs, may be used to incentivize sucha marketing strategy.

Another unique potential functionality of the Datebuddy process may bethe capacity for DB swapping. With the consent of all parties affected,two member entities functioning in the DB role may elect to swap theirrespective buddies, and likewise two entities participating concurrentlyin the Buddy role may elect to swap their respective Datebuddies. Forthis to occur, the two member entities involved may be known to eachother through the site. This may be accomplished by virtue of themknowing each other in real life first, and then inviting either to theothers circle of friends within the Datebuddy Community, or from aprevious interaction prompted by their participation on the site.

The event creation and invitation process may be designed to further themission of fostering community and social relationship within ourculture. The potential event types may include dating, social,informative/educational and charitable/benevolent. The invitees mayinclude associated microsites that are part of the broader socialnetwork known as BuddyNation, as described herein. The event creationprocess is also described in further detail elsewhere herein.

Another unique implementation of the Datebuddy process may be thepossibility of increasing the chances of creating friendships and datingrelationships by less conventional uses of the Datebuddy processdescribed above. As a goal may be to cultivate such relationships, itshould be more important to give the members all the possible chances tomeet someone special even if that means allowing the process to functionin an unconventional manner. Examples of this may include thepossibility that a buddy may be interested in dating their Datebuddy,which may have an increased likelihood due to the compatibility designedin the algorithm which created the match, and this may be incentivizedvia the invitation process. Another example may be a Datebuddyinterested in dating their Buddy, for the same reasons. Anotherpossibility may be a member deciding to match a previous Buddy orDatebuddy of theirs with another Buddy or Datebuddy of theirs, or aCandidate of theirs. Although these permutations of the process may notfollow a main process, all of these permutations are possible andencouraged via the links and invitation processes to increase thelikelihood of cultivating friendships and dating relationships.

Another exciting variant of the Datebuddy process may be the EasternCulture variant, which may incorporate varying degrees of familialparticipation depending on the accepted cultural behaviors of a givengeographical region, as described herein (e.g., with respect to FIGS. 36and 37).

There are various possible ways for the ODS to improve the seeker'sability to find a compatible match, and to foster community, friendshipand benevolence while doing so. One possible variant may be where thealgorithm tracks the history of Candidates offered by a given DB, andthen may attempt to prioritize in the sorting mechanism for DBs whoseCandidates most closely match the Buddy's Partner Preferences. This maybe implemented by looking at degrees of similarity in the profiles ofthe Candidates of a given DB and the particular Buddy in question, andprioritizing in some fashion the DBs whose Candidates most closely matchthe Buddy's Partner preferences. This may be based on probabilities,because the given DB might not think that particular Candidate wassufficiently compatible to offer as a Candidate, or the Candidate may nolonger be free to date. One possible way to mitigate the risk that theDB won't perceive the Candidate the algorithm identifies as a compatibleoffer to the Buddy may be for the site to actually suggest to that givenDB that they may consider a particular Candidate they have offered inthe past in this particular Buddy's case due to the algorithmidentifying them as having an increased likelihood of compatibility.

Another interesting variant of the process may be data mining patternsin characteristics of Candidates a given Buddy has accepted for Matchesin the past, and adding or considering these preferences and themanner/degree to which they may be weighted into the sorting processeven if they differ from the conscious choices the given Buddy has madein his Partner Profile. The algorithm can weight these disparities basedon patterns of success in implementing this type of process in general,or may base the weighting on the metrics and repetitions of suchpatterns in the individual Buddy in question. In this case the algorithmmay take advantage of real life behaviors even if they differ from theconscious perception of the individual Buddy's own beliefs about theirpreferences.

DB role performed in a group fashion may be either DBs who are alsolooking for a partner as well (they also participate as a buddy, or BD),or may be DBEs, individuals that may not be currently interested infinding a partner but would still like to function in the matchmakerrole, or a mixture of the two sub-types of DBs (DBs and DBEs together).One unique variant of the group DBE may be a couple (either married orin a significant relationship in which neither was currently looking fora partner). They may function essentially as a unique singular entity,bringing a unique logistical dynamic to the process of searching throughtheir friendship network as a team to identify possible Candidates tointroduce to the member they are helping. This unique form of couplesgroup DBE could be labeled either as another variant of a group DB whereboth parties may be DBEs, or it can be framed as a unique variant of anindividual DBE entity which provides an unusual degree of multi-facetedpossibilities when it comes to the potential for possible Candidateidentification via the likelihood of a greater capability of networkcapacity from such a unified team.

The input process each member participates in to create their profilemay include some components that are unique to the Datebuddy process.Firstly, in addition to describing characteristics and prioritizingthese characteristics for themselves and their future partner, they alsomay provide the same kind of data regarding preferences for theirDatebuddy (matchmaker) and for the Buddy they would attempt to be amatchmaker for. In addition to those unique components, the input ofquestions may be accompanied by different potential methods ofprioritization of the preferences described by the member. These mayinclude a sliding scale of level of importance of a givencharacteristic, a “best answer” when multiple selections may be made,and a drag and drop feature that may allow the member to drag and dropall selections made when multiple selections are chosen for a givenanswer. They may then drag and drop these selections placing them inorder of preference. These different approaches to prioritization maythen allow the algorithm to attribute unique weighting paradigms withinthe sorting process to enhance the probability of a compatible match. Inaddition to allowing the member to identify their order of preference ofselections made for a given question, the ODS may also allow the memberto prioritize the importance of the questions/answers themselvesrelative to each other, thus allowing the member to prioritize thecharacteristics being inquired about by their partner preferences. Thistype of prioritization may then be taken into consideration by thealgorithm, and may influence the order of the sorting, thereby possiblyimpacting the outcome of the match, and possibly enhancing thecompatibility of the match. At least two forms of prioritization may beleveraged by the ODS in collecting input data from the member whendefining their preferences. The first may be a “Top Choice,” or bestanswer method, and the second may be a full ranking method where allchoices made are then drag and dropped into order of preferences,allowing the algorithm to create differential weighting for everypreference chosen by the member. The ODS may enable the user toprioritize certain answers of a given question (e.g., brown hair thenred hair then blond hair), to prioritize certain answered questions overothers (e.g., religion then body type then hair color), and the like.The ODS may then leverage each of these priorities when assigningconnections. Some or all priorities may be weighted by the algorithm(e.g., included in the analysis). In some embodiments, the ODS mayenable only some answers to be prioritized (religion but not haircolor). In some embodiments, geographical location (e.g., Zip code) mayalways be highest priority as it may drastically reduce processingoverhead by limiting the initial results to be further processed by thealgorithm.

During the development of the Datebuddy process the terminology hasevolved. There are three pathways that a given user can traverse. Theseinclude the matchmaker path, which may be referred to as the Datebuddy,or DB, path; the user who is helped (set up) by the matchmaker, whichmay be referred to as the Buddy, or BD, path; and the friend of thematchmaker who is being introduced to the Buddy, which may be referredto as the Candidate, or CAND, path. These three pathways may be utilizedby four possible user types. The first user type may be the most common,or classic type in which the individual may participate in both the DB,or matchmaker, path for a second member, and the Buddy path, in which athird member may function as a matchmaker for them. Multiple labels forthese two functions may be used herein. The user who participates inboth roles has been referred to as a mem-user. This can be confusing,because although this is the most common use of the process, it may notbe the only user types that are members. There are two other user typesthat may be members as well. When these mem-users are functioning in thematchmaking role, or DB role, they may be referred to as mem-user as DB,or DB mem user or DBM. When a mem-user is functioning in the Buddy role,in which another member may be functioning as their matchmaker, they maybe referred to as mem-user as Buddy, or Buddy mem user, or BDM. Thesecond user type may be an entity that chooses to participateexclusively in the matchmaker, or DB function. They may be referred toas DB as user, or DBE. The third type of user may be an entity whochooses to participate exclusively in the Buddy role, where anothermember acts as their matchmaker, but where they choose not to performthat role for another. This may be referred to as an exclusive role asBD as user, or BDE. The fourth type of user may be a friend or contactof a Datebuddy, or matchmaker, who is being introduced to the Buddy thatthe Datebuddy is helping, or trying to set up. This user may be referredto as a Candidate, or CAND, and in the early stages of the process maymost likely be a non-member, though it is possible that they can be amember as well. Although the sub-designations for the Candidate role maynot be specifically illustrated (e.g., in FIGS. 39A and 39Bcollectively), the Candidate who is not a member may be referred to asCANDE, since they may not be participating in either of the other tworoles, DB or BD, and the Candidate that is a member as CANDM. Due to thedual function of the most common user type, and the choice to name eachof the two functional roles, there may be four user types, but fivefunctional role types (or six if the sub-types of CAND just mentionedare considered).

Regarding the sub-types of Candidates, in the early stages of theDatebuddy process the majority of Candidates offered by Datebuddies onthe site may likely be non-member friends/contacts as the site and itsprocess may first be introduced to any given geographical area. As thesite matures in any given location, the probability increases that aCandidate may already be a member when first requested by a Datebuddy tobe set up with the Datebuddy's respective Buddy. Thus in the earlystages of the introduction of this process the majority of Candidatesmay be CANDE in type, and where FIGS. 39A and 39B collectively uses thelabel CAND it may be referring to this sub-type. As the site matures andthe probability grows of the likelihood of an existing member beinginvited to participate in the Candidate role, then the sub-type CANDMmay become more relevant. In FIGS. 39A and 39B collectively thissub-type may be referenced by the asterisk found in the Candidatepathway, and may follow the same pathway as the CANDE with theexceptions that they may not be offered membership, and they may not berequested to complete their profile and respond to questions about DBand BD preferences, because they would have already done so.

The CANDE may be offered membership, possibly at a reduced initial rateas an incentive, if they are either rejected or dismissed by the Buddy.If they agree to join as members, they may be asked to complete theprofile creation steps that would have been absent in their originalprofile creation. When a non-member Candidate is asked to review a Buddyprofile by a Datebuddy, if they are interested in meeting that Buddythey may be given the opportunity to create a profile and be introducedon the site to that Buddy, possibly at no charge. As they may becreating a profile for a single use purpose, just to meet this oneparticular Buddy, the only two steps of the profile creation processthat are relevant may be the personal and partner preference sections.As they have not yet joined as a member (this is referring specificallyto a non-member Candidate that is being recruited by the Datebuddy) theymay not be participating in the process of being assigned a DB, ormatchmaker, or acting as one. Therefore they may have no need at thistime for the DB and BD preference sections to be completed. They may beasked to fill out all steps when first creating their profile just tofacilitate the conversion process to a membership should they everdecide to join in the future, but they may also not be asked to completethese two sections at that time to streamline their profile creationprocess, under the assumption that the easier a process is the morelikely individuals are to participate and to remain engaged, therebyincreasing retention rates.

The difference between a rejection and a dismissal may be that arejection may occur when any initial offering to any participant of anytype of matching is refused. This may include the Datebuddy-Buddycombination matched by the Datebuddy algorithm, as well as theBuddy-“New Match” combination (also referred to as a Candidate from theDatebuddy's perspective—from the Datebuddy's frame of reference thiswould be a Buddy-Candidate combination) matched by the Datebuddyattempting to set up one of their friends/contacts with the Buddy theyare helping, or matchmaking for. For the broader social networkBuddyNation this may include the general Buddies matched by theBuddyNation algorithm (also known as BNMs) and the Mentor/coaches (MEN)matched with students (STU) by the BuddyNation algorithm. A dismissalmay occur when a matched combination has already been accepted, andexists, and then is terminated by either party of the combination, andmay apply to all the combinations previously described.

As shown in process 3900 of FIGS. 39A and 39B collectively, the twomatching processes involved are depicted. The first may be an algorithmbased match between the member, functioning in the Buddy role, andanother member, offered by the algorithm to function as theirmatchmaker, or DB role. So in essence it may be looking for a DB tomatch with a BD. Once this match is mutually accepted, the DB may reviewtheir network of friends/contacts for compatible matches for this Buddy.The friends they consider for introduction may be called the Datebuddy'sCandidates, and when they are offered to the Buddy they are helping, theBuddy sees those Candidates as potential Matches for them. So from theBuddy's perspective the Candidate offered by their Datebuddy may becalled their “New Match,” and if they accept that match they maycontinue to be referred to as one of their “Matches”. So the sameindividual may have two labels depending upon the frame of reference.From the Datebuddy, or matchmaker's perspective, the friends they offermay be called their Candidates. From the Buddy's perspective, theoffered Candidate from the Datebuddy may be called their Match.Therefore the second matching process of process 3900 of FIGS. 39A and39B collectively may be the Datebuddy attempting to set up their friend(the Candidate) with the Buddy they have been assigned to help. Insummary, the first matching process may be algorithmically driven by theODS by assigning a Datebuddy (or matchmaker) to a Buddy, and the secondmatching process may be human-based but facilitated in various ways bythe ODS, where the assigned Datebuddy may attempts to set up theirfriends (the Candidates) with their assigned Buddy, offering them a newpotential Match. This duality of processes may exhibit how the Datebuddyprocess combines technology with the personal touch.

An algorithm that may be used by the ODS for making any suitableconnection may be of any suitable type. This algorithm may be designedto provide the member with the best match for a matchmaker, or“Datebuddy.” The sorting order may be any suitable order for leveragingdifferent preferences, and some or all member input fields may beutilized in the process. N iterative loops may be leveraged for thesteps where the acceptable parameters may be expanded (e.g., dependingon the number of geographically appropriate members being filtered out).Threshold values may be used throughout the algorithm, as they may beconstantly tested to validate a sufficient quantity of potential matchesgetting through the filtering process to provide sufficient quality offinal matches. Threshold values may be found throughout the algorithm inthe form of integers. Except when used in conjunction with Nrepresenting iterative loops, all other instances of integers found inthe algorithm may represent threshold values. These values may bearbitrary estimates used essentially as placeholders for the true valuesthat may be used in various particular embodiments, each of which maychange dynamically or heuristically or may be changed manually. Afeature of the sorting process designed to be inclusive, but in arational way, may be the clustering mechanism. Clusters may be aresorting process whereby a threshold failure may suggest that an exactmatch of the member's partner preferences result in too severe afiltering out of potential matches. As the goal of the ODS may be tofind the friend of the members future mate, and not the mate themselves,the ODS may allow the sort to repeat with a rational broadening of thechoices to include responses most similar to those actually chosen,which may be created by clustering similar responses. The clusters maytherefore be rationally driven logically based on similar rather thanexact matching, which may be reasonable in light of the goal to find thefriend of the partner, not the partner themselves. Certain components ofthe algorithm may be exact match only, because the goal may be toidentify a matchmaker that has an increased probability of being friendswith a compatible match for the member. With this in mind, it is alsoimportant to minimize the possibility of an unpleasant interaction whileparticipating in the Datebuddy process. Therefore, certaincharacteristics of the matchmaker may be more directly matched to thepartner characteristics described by the member in an effort to providethe most positive experience to all users. Certain components of thealgorithm may be designed not to filter out like other components of theprocess, but rather to rank the final identified group of potentialmatchmakers.

The broader social network known as BuddyNation that may be implementedby the ODS may utilize multiple configurations to cultivate groupingsbased upon some form of commonality. The shared interests that may bringmembers together may fall into three categories including hobbies,activities, and topics, or HAT criteria. These microsites may utilizethree different processes to bring members together. The first processthey may use may be real life friends that share a common interest inthe given microsite's focus. With the second process, they may usebuddies matched by the BuddyNation algorithm based on theirmember-generated profile. They may define via an input wizard detailsabout themselves and their engagement in the given microsite's focus, aswell as their preferences about those they may desire to share theirinterest with, including both personal characteristics as well asengagement in their HAT defined interest. The third form of circleprocess they may use to bring members together who share a commoninterest in the HAT criteria may be a Mentor (Coach)/Student BuddyNationalgorithm. In this process, the member-generated profile may offermembers the opportunity of defining their interest in either providingmentorship/coaching within a given interest, or to receive the same inwhat may be referred to as the student role. This may enable theBuddyNation Network to not only cultivate community and friendshipthrough common interests, but beyond this may cultivate benevolence viaincentivizing and facilitating the participation in a process ofmentorship. A more rigorous discussion of these concepts may be foundelsewhere herein.

These HAT-based microsites may focus on any interest that a group may becapable of sharing in a socially-acceptable and/or socially-redeemablemanner. These HAT criteria may vary over time and geography, driven bythe interests of a given culture and era. The three processes forforming groups or circles may form the foundation of the broaderBuddyNation Network, but beyond this may exist in some HAT sites aunique and novel functionality beyond the processes already discussed(Datebuddy is one known example of this). These sites may be referred toas Premium sites, and may justify a higher cost to the member toparticipate in due to their superior functionality. One example of thesePremium sites is described below.

Seniorbuddy is developed in the hopes of aiding a growing population ofelderly due to increasing life expectancy as well as the baby boomphenomenon in the United States. Many seniors as they advance findthemselves in an increasing state of isolation due to a confluence offactors. These factors may include cultural shifts that have causedfamily generations to gravitate apart geographically, if notemotionally, and higher divorce rates and disparity in gender lifeexpectancy, resulting in increasing likelihood of living alone in lateryears. In addition, the greater life expectancy also brings with it anincreased opportunity for the need to care-take a spouse who's health isfailing. So even when couples are together, isolation can still existvia the dual burden of a spouse that is failing and may not be capableof active participation in companionship, as well as the stress ofproviding care to a failing loved one while the individual themselves isalso aging. Together, these are among the factors which pre-dispose theelder population to an isolative condition. Seniorbuddy may utilize theBuddyNation algorithm in a number of unique ways to aid seniors in thisdifficult time of their life. The senior member may first create aprofile detailing their personal information. This personal informationmay include data that may be tailored to the senior population. Thesenior may then create a profile section about the characteristics theywould prefer in one or more companions. These potential matches may bespecifically designed to foster acquaintanceship, and hopefullyfriendship. Due to the unique challenges in this population as relatesto health and accessibility, the profile may include data regarding boththe members' status on these parameters as well as their preferencesregarding these areas for their potential new friendships. As an examplethe member may define through a set of questions their mobility andcapacity to participate in certain social functions, and also may definetheir preferences for these questions as they pertain to their futurefriends they may be matched with. All of the foundation processes thatBuddyNation offers for creating circles may also exist, including buddymatching by HAT criteria and mentorship matching by HAT criteria, but inthis case may be supplemented with a number of defining areas of dataspecific to this senior population. Additional unique processes mayinclude a section within the profile to define care-taking duties. Thismay include defining any duties the member has for a loved one, or anycare-taking responsibilities others, including a family member or aprofessional care-taker might be providing to the member. Then in asection devoted to defining the friendship preferences, these same areasmay again be surveyed, allowing the member to clarify the comfort levelin relation to a potential friend's mobility, capacity to participateand at what level, and care-taking situation. Another unique feature ofthe Seniorbuddy process may be the ability to intervene generationally.With the permission of the member the member's family may be able to aidthe member in completing the profile creation process and in monitoringthe matching process. The dashboards utilized in this site may have theadditional functionality necessary to track the additional variablesdiscussed, in addition to possibly being monitored by family as well.This may allow family separated geographically to assist their seniorfamily members in cultivating friendships and social activities whichmay mitigate the isolative lifestyle inherent to this population (e.g.,similarly as described above with respect to FIGS. 36 and 37). Anotherunique feature of this process may be in tracking the relativecare-taking situations present in the members being matched, as this mayallow for the possibility of relieving a caretaker while two individualsin need are meeting together, or combining mutually-beneficial orsymbiotic needs of the members in a rationale manner using theBuddyNation algorithm. This may also allow for the possibility of thecaretakers directly utilizing the process to relieve their stress viamultiple mechanisms. Special care may be taken in checks and balanceswhen dealing with this population to minimize the possibility ofexploitation due to competency or frailty.

One, some, or all of the processes described with respect to FIGS. 1-39Bmay each be implemented by software, but may also be implemented inhardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, andfirmware. Instructions for performing these processes may also beembodied as machine- or computer-readable code recorded on a machine- orcomputer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the computer-readablemedium may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples ofsuch a non-transitory computer-readable medium include but are notlimited to a read-only memory, a random-access memory, a flash memory, aCD-ROM, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a removable memory card, and a datastorage device (e.g., memory 13 and/or data structure 15 of FIG. 1and/or memory 113 of FIG. 2). In other embodiments, thecomputer-readable medium may be a transitory computer-readable medium.In such embodiments, the transitory computer-readable medium can bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that thecomputer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.For example, such a transitory computer-readable medium may becommunicated from an ODS subsystem to a client device, from a clientdevice to an ODS subsystem, and/or from one client device to anotherclient device using any suitable communications protocol (e.g., thecomputer-readable medium may be communicated to a client device 100 viacommunications component 14/114 (e.g., as at least a portion of anapplication 119)). Such a transitory computer-readable medium may embodycomputer-readable code, instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and may include any information deliverymedia. A modulated data signal may be a signal that has one or more ofits characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal.

It is to be understood that any, each, or at least one module orcomponent or subsystem of the disclosure may be provided as a softwareconstruct, firmware construct, one or more hardware components, or acombination thereof. For example, any, each, or at least one module orcomponent or subsystem of system 1 may be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules,that may be executed by one or more computers or other devices.Generally, a program module may include one or more routines, programs,objects, components, and/or data structures that may perform one or moreparticular tasks or that may implement one or more particular abstractdata types. It is also to be understood that the number, configuration,functionality, and interconnection of the modules and components andsubsystems of system 1 are merely illustrative, and that the number,configuration, functionality, and interconnection of existing modules,components, and/or subsystems may be modified or omitted, additionalmodules, components, and/or subsystems may be added, and theinterconnection of certain modules, components, and/or subsystems may bealtered.

The methods described above with respect to the ODS receiving thevarious types of preference information and/or analyzing combinations ofpreference information (e.g., information of a system account/profile ofa user seeking a matchmaker and that of a matchmaker seeking a user forwhom to be a matchmaker) may be carried out by the ODS using anysuitable algorithms, neural networks, and the like for any suitableanalysis.

While there have been described systems, methods, and computer-readablemedia for an online social networking service with human matchmaking, itis to be understood that many changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter describedherein in any way. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matteras viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or laterdevised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within thescope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later knownto one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scopeof the defined elements.

Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventioncan be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which arepresented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: creating, with an onlinenetworking service, a member user account for a member user; creating,with the online networking service, a matchmaker user account for amatchmaker user; assigning, with the online networking service, thematchmaker user account to the member user account; identifying, withthe matchmaker user, a matchmaker contact for the member user; grantingthe matchmaker contact access, with the online networking service, tothe member user account; after the granting, creating, with the onlinenetworking service, a candidate user account for the matchmaker contact;and connecting, with the online networking service, the candidate useraccount to the member user account.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe member user account comprises information descriptive of the memberuser's preferences for a to-be-assigned matchmaker user.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein the assigning comprises leveraging the informationdescriptive of the member user's preferences for the to-be-assignedmatchmaker user.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the matchmaker useraccount comprises information descriptive of the matchmaker user'spreferences for a to-be-assigned member user.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the assigning comprises leveraging the information descriptiveof the matchmaker user's preferences for the to-be-assigned member user.6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the member user account comprisesinformation descriptive of the member user's preferences for ato-be-assigned matchmaker user; the matchmaker user account comprisesinformation descriptive of the matchmaker user's preferences for ato-be-assigned member user; and the assigning comprises leveraging boththe information descriptive of the member user's preferences for theto-be-assigned matchmaker user and the information descriptive of thematchmaker user's preferences for the to-be-assigned member user.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the member user account comprisesinformation descriptive of the member user's preferences for ato-be-connected matchmaker contact; the matchmaker user accountcomprises information descriptive of the matchmaker user's pool ofmatchmaker contacts; and the assigning comprises leveraging both theinformation descriptive of the member user's preferences for theto-be-connected matchmaker contact and the information descriptive ofthe matchmaker user's pool of matchmaker contacts.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the member user account comprises informationdescriptive of the member user's preferences for a to-be-assignedmatchmaker user; the member user account further comprises informationdescriptive of the member user's preferences for a to-be-connectedmatchmaker contact; the matchmaker user account comprises informationdescriptive of the matchmaker user's preferences for a to-be-assignedmember user; the matchmaker user account further comprises informationdescriptive of the matchmaker user's pool of matchmaker contacts; andthe assigning comprises leveraging the information descriptive of themember user's preferences for the to-be-assigned matchmaker user, theinformation descriptive of the matchmaker user's preferences for theto-be-assigned member user, the information descriptive of the memberuser's preferences for the to-be-connected matchmaker contact, and theinformation descriptive of the matchmaker user's pool of matchmakercontacts.
 9. An online dating service system in communication with amember user electronic device and a matchmaker user electronic device,the online dating service system comprising: at least one processorcomponent; at least one memory component; and at least onecommunications component, wherein the online dating service system isoperative to: receive member user information from the member userelectronic device via the at least one communications component; createa member user account for the member user with the received member userinformation; receive matchmaker user information from the matchmakeruser electronic device via the at least one communications component;create a matchmaker user account for the matchmaker user with thereceived matchmaker user information; analyze the member user accountand the matchmaker user account; assign the matchmaker user account tothe member user account based on the analysis; and based on theassignment, transmit to the matchmaker user electronic device, via theat least one communications component, an instruction for the matchmakeruser to identify a matchmaker contact for the member user.
 10. Theonline dating service system of claim 9, wherein the online datingservice system is further operative to facilitate electroniccommunication between the member user electronic device and thematchmaker user electronic device after the assignment.
 11. The onlinedating service system of claim 9, wherein the online dating servicesystem is further operative to facilitate electronic communicationbetween the member user electronic device and an identified matchmakercontact.
 12. The online dating service system of claim 9, wherein theonline dating service system is further operative to receive approval ofthe assignment from the member user electronic device prior totransmitting the instruction.
 13. The online dating service system ofclaim 9, wherein the online dating service system is further operativeto provide at least a portion of the member user information with anidentified matchmaker contact.
 14. The online dating service system ofclaim 13, wherein the online dating service system is further operativeto, after providing the at least a portion of the member userinformation with the identified matchmaker contact, create a candidateuser account for the identified matchmaker contact.
 15. The onlinedating service system of claim 14, wherein the online dating servicesystem is further operative to facilitate the member user electronicdevice with access to information associated with the candidate useraccount.
 16. The online dating service system of claim 14, wherein theonline dating service system is further operative to reward thematchmaker user account when a candidate user account is created for theidentified matchmaker contact.
 17. The online dating service system ofclaim 9, wherein: the member user information comprises informationdescriptive of the member user's preferences for a to-be-assignedmatchmaker user; the matchmaker user information comprises informationdescriptive of the matchmaker user's preferences for a to-be-assignedmember user; and the online dating service system is operative to assignthe matchmaker user account to the member user account based on a matchbetween the information descriptive of the member user's preferences forthe to-be-assigned matchmaker user and the information descriptive ofthe matchmaker user's preferences for the to-be-assigned member user.18. The online dating service system of claim 9, wherein: the memberuser information comprises information descriptive of the member user'spreferences for a to-be-identified matchmaker contact; the matchmakeruser information comprises information descriptive of the matchmakeruser's pool of matchmaker contacts; and the online dating service systemis operative to assign the matchmaker user account to the member useraccount based on a match between the information descriptive of themember user's preferences for the to-be-identified matchmaker contactand the information descriptive of the matchmaker user's pool ofmatchmaker contacts.
 19. The online dating service system of claim 9,wherein: the member user information comprises information descriptiveof the member user's preferences for a to-be-assigned matchmaker user;the member user information further comprises information descriptive ofthe member user's preferences for a to-be-identified matchmaker contact;the matchmaker user information comprises information descriptive of thematchmaker user's preferences for a to-be-assigned member user; thematchmaker user information further comprises information descriptive ofthe matchmaker user's pool of matchmaker contacts; and the online datingservice system is operative to assign the matchmaker user account to themember user account based on both a match between the informationdescriptive of the member user's preferences for the to-be-assignedmatchmaker user and the information descriptive of the matchmaker user'spreferences for the to-be-assigned member user and a match between theinformation descriptive of the member user's preferences for theto-be-identified matchmaker contact and the information descriptive ofthe matchmaker user's pool of matchmaker contacts.
 20. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructionsrecorded thereon for: creating, with an online networking service, amember user account for a member user; creating, with the onlinenetworking service, a matchmaker user account for a matchmaker user;assigning, with the online networking service, the matchmaker useraccount to the member user account; instructing the matchmaker user toidentify a matchmaker contact for the member user; granting thematchmaker contact access, with the online networking service, to themember user account; after the granting, creating, with the onlinenetworking service, a candidate user account for the matchmaker contact;and connecting, with the online networking service, the candidate useraccount to the member user account.